What impact did World War II have on the global power structure?

World War II fundamentally altered the global power structure by transitioning it from a multipolar world, characterized by various powerful states competing for influence, to a bipolar framework dominated by two superpowers: the United States and the Soviet Union. The war significantly weakened several major states, particularly in Europe, as countries like Germany, Italy, and France suffered extensive destruction and loss of influence. In contrast, the United States and the Soviet Union emerged from the conflict with enhanced military capabilities, economic strength, and global influence.

This formation of a bipolar world led to the Cold War, a period of intense geopolitical tension and rivalry primarily between these two superpowers. Their ideological differences—capitalism versus communism—shaped international relations and influenced global conflicts for decades. Thus, the impact of World War II was a decisive shift in the power structure that established a clear delineation of influence and alliances, focusing primarily on the competition between the United States and the Soviet Union.