The Cold War changed how military power worked around the world in some important ways:

1. Nuclear Arms Race:

   • The USA and the Soviet Union became the biggest superpowers with lots of nuclear weapons. By 1986, the Soviet Union had about 40,000 nuclear warheads, while the USA had around 31,000. Together, they had over 60,000 nuclear weapons worldwide.

2. Military Alliances:

   • The world split into two main military groups. NATO was formed in 1949 and had 12 original members. The Warsaw Pact followed in 1955 with 8 members, marking a clear line between different beliefs and military power.

3. Proxy Wars:

   • The Cold War led to fighting in many places as the two superpowers supported different sides in local wars. For example, the Korean War (1950-1953) caused over 3 million deaths, while the Vietnam War (1955-1975) resulted in about 1.3 million deaths in Vietnam.

4. Military Spending:

   • In 1988, spending on the military reached about $1.2 trillion all around the world. The USA alone spent around$600 billion, which was about 6.5% of its economy.

5. Technological Advancements:

   • The race for weapons also pushed military technology forward. We saw new developments like intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and stealth technology. By the end of the Cold War, about 70% of military research and development in the USA was focused on issues from the Cold War.

In summary, the Cold War changed military power by increasing nuclear weapons, creating opposing alliances, raising military spending, and driving new technology in the military.