In the years following World War II, relations between the Soviet Union and the United States were marked by - conflicts in which the superpowers supported opposing sides but did not confront each other directly B reliance on international peace organizations to reconcile ideological disputes. C slow but steady decreases in military forces and armaments. D refusal to negotiate on any important international issues

## Step 1<br />The question is asking about the nature of the relationship between the Soviet Union and the United States in the years following World War II. This period is known as the Cold War, which was characterized by political and military tensions between the two superpowers, but they did not engage in direct military conflict.<br /><br />## Step 2<br />Option A states that the superpowers supported opposing sides but did not confront each other directly. This is accurate as the Cold War was marked by proxy wars where the superpowers supported opposing sides in regional conflicts, but they did not engage in direct military confrontation.<br /><br />## Step 3<br />Option B suggests that the superpowers relied on international peace organizations to reconcile ideological disputes. This is not accurate as the Cold War was marked by ideological disputes and the superpowers did not rely on international peace organizations to resolve these disputes.<br /><br />## Step 4<br />Option C suggests that there were slow but steady decreases in military forces and armaments. This is not accurate as the Cold War was marked by an arms race, with both superpowers increasing their military forces and armaments.<br /><br />## Step 5<br />Option D suggests that the superpowers refused to negotiate on any important international issues. This is not accurate as there were several negotiations between the superpowers during the Cold War, although these negotiations often ended in failure.