The Impact of World War II on the Rise of Superpowers: The US and the Soviet Union

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The Impact of World War II on the Rise of Superpowers: The US and the Soviet Union

The Second World War changed the world in many ways, and one of the most far-reaching was in the rise of the two superpowers: the United States and the Soviet Union. Although both countries were already well-established prior to the war, the conflict had a large, long-term impact on their increasing rise and dominance in international politics. This article will explore how the Second World War shaped the United States and Soviet Union into the world’s most powerful nations, and made them the preeminent superpowers of the 20th century.

World War II was one of the deadliest and most destructive wars in human history. Over seventy million people were killed and millions more injured, with vast areas of Europe and Asia left destroyed in its wake. Despite the devastation, it also brought about positive changes both in terms of technological advancement, and in the political and economic environment of the world. In particular, the conflict had a large effect on the two emerging superpowers of the era: The United States and the Soviet Union.

The US and the USSR in Pre-World War II Times

The United States had become independent two centuries earlier, and since then had gone on to become one of the world’s most powerful countries. This was largely due to its strong economy, which was bolstered by a period of industrialization during the 19th century and a large influx of immigrants in the early 20th century. However, the tariffs imposed during the Great Depression of the 1930s caused a contraction in world trade, weakening its economy.

The Soviet Union was formed in 1922 from the former Russian Empire, following the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917. The establishment of the Soviet Union marked a dramatic shift in Russian politics and culture, as a single-party communist state was created in place of the old monarchy. The Soviet Union had a large and expanding military and industrial base, as well as abundant natural resources.

Rise of Both Nations During World War II

The United States and Soviet Union underwent dramatic changes during World War II. Both countries had far larger roles in the fighting than they did during World War I and the conflict had a large impact on their respective societies and economies.

The US and the Economy

The United States was by far the wealthiest nation in the world before and during the war. However, its economy still suffered in the early years of the conflict due to the contraction in world trade that had occurred in the 1930s. The US eventually began to recuperate as a result of increased wartime production, which provided employment for many of its citizens and a boost to its economy. The implementation of the Lend-Lease Act in 1941 and the Economic Cooperation Administration in 1943 further contributed to the economic growth of the nation. These programs allowed for the US to provide aid to other Allied powers and helped them to rebuild their own economies after the war.

The United States also had a major impact on the global economic order after the war. It was one of the architects of the Bretton Woods system which established the US dollar as the international reserve currency and formed the International Monetary Fund, World Bank and the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. This led to further US economic growth and the spread of its influence around the world.

The USSR and the War Effort

The Soviet Union was initially severely weakened as a result of its alliance with Nazi Germany. The Nazi-Soviet Pact of 1939 allowed for the German invasion of Poland and other European countries. The Soviets incurred losses when Finland declared war on them in 1940, but the country’s fortunes began to turn around when Hitler decided to invade the Soviet Union in 1941.

This allowed the Soviets the opportunity to reverse their initial defeats and give a mighty effort against the Germans. Once the tide of the war had turned in their favor, the Red Army made speedy advances with the acquisition of new technology, tactics and organization. The Soviet Union was also able to gain a higher status within the Allied powers thanks to its important war effort.

Due to the large-scale mobilization, the Soviet Union’s economy grew at a considerable rate. The war production and the drive by Stalin to collectivize the nation’s agricultural sector greatly increased industrial production, allowing the Soviet Union to rapidly catch up to the United States in terms of industrial strength.

The Impact on the International Balance of Power

The period of World War II and its aftermath had a major effect on the international balance of power. The United States and Soviet Union had been rivals before the war began, but their positions had vastly changed by the time it ended.

The US was by far the strongest nation both militarily and economically and was the first country ever to use nuclear weapons in an attack. Combined with the emergence of NATO and the UN, the US played a major role in the restructuring of the post-war international political order.

The Soviet Union also played a major role in international politics after the war ended. It had a large and powerful military, with a large nuclear arsenal, and had gained a higher standing in world politics due to its important role in the war effort. The Soviet Union was also able to expand its influence in Eastern Europe, Austria, and the Middle East, due to its alliance with the Allies during the war.

World War II had a large and long-lasting impact on the United States and Soviet Union. The US emerged as the most powerful nation militarily and economically, thanks to its military prowess, huge industrial base and relatively strong economy. The Soviet Union was also able to make great leaps in terms of its industrial development and political status due to its participation in the war and subsequent alliance with the Allies. Both countries remained the world’s two preeminent superpowers throughout the 20th century and their legacies lived on into the 21st century.

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