What were the factors that permitted the US and Soviet Union to avoid direct conflict during the Cold War?

Answer 1

it is apparent that both the US and the Soviets knew well that if ever at any point could a war spark between the two, the world be hit by a tremendous blow of atomic flames and be driven back to the stone age.both the US and the Soviets all had the nuclear technology which remained a pivital factor for both not to attack one another.if ever the US could strike first, they would have done that with the knowledge the Soviets would retaliate heavily with their nuclear arms.No big power could ever attack another power.that can never happen.The Soviets and US could be locked in war elswhere but not in their very territory.The Americans have as much information about the Soviets and vice versa.both powers have good military technological knowhow and they would not risk to face each other in any war.

Answer 5/28/2011

(The Soviets blockaded Berlin.)

After World War II, the Allies divided Germany into four zones of occupation. The U.S., U.S.S.R., France, and Great Britain agreed that each would govern one of the zones until the Germans were prepared to rule themselves. The Allies also decided to divide Germany's capital, Berlin, into four sectors, or parts. Each sector of Berlin would also be governed by one of the four Allied powers. The Soviet sector of the city was called East Berlin while the U.S., French, and British sectors were called West Berlin.Since Berlin was located inside the Soviet zone of Germany, the Americans, British, and French had to pass through the Soviet zone to get to their part of Berlin. This was not supposed to be a problem. When the Allies first decided to divide Germany into zones, the Soviets promised to allow the Americans, British, and French to move freely across their zone and into West Berlin.But serious problems developed in 1947. On the excuse that they were repairing roads and railroad tracks, the Soviets kept cars, trucks, and trains from crossing their zone. But the truth of the matter was that the Soviets wanted to cut off all food shipments to West Berlin. The Soviets hoped their Berlin blockade would force the Americans, British, and French to leave their part of Berlin.Many people in the Free World considered the Soviet blockade of Berlin an act of aggression. Many feared that the Berlin blockade would lead to World War III.