Following world war ii, what was one major difference between the united states and the soviet union? the united states had a puppet government, whereas the soviet union wanted to contain communism. the united states had a single-party government, whereas the soviet union had a democratic government.. the united states had a free market, whereas the soviet union had a government-controlled economy. the united states had a government-controlled economy, whereas the soviet union had a free market.

 The United States had a free market, whereas the Soviet Union had a government-controlled economy.

There were numerous differences between the USA and the USSR, which made them opponents in what became known as the Cold War.  At the core of difference, however, was that the two nations held dramatically different worldviews.  The United States of America (USA) was committed to free-market capitalism and democratic institutions of government.  The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) was committed to communism and imposed authoritarian government, which included government control of the economy.