The events of World War II changed global politics in many important ways after the war ended. Here are some key points:

1. Rise of Superpowers:

   • The United States and the Soviet Union became the two biggest superpowers in the world. This created a situation where most of the world was divided between them. By 1945, the U.S. had produced about $300 billion worth of goods for the war, while the Soviet Union was expanding its power in Eastern Europe.

2. Creation of International Organizations:

   • In 1945, the United Nations (UN) was formed to help keep peace and security around the world. By 2023, 193 countries were part of the UN.
   • In 1944, leaders met at the Bretton Woods Conference and created the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. These organizations help countries work together and stay economically stable.

3. Decolonization:

   • The war led many countries in Asia and Africa to seek independence from colonial rule. By 1960, 32 African countries gained their freedom, changing the balance of power globally.

4. Cold War Tensions:

   • There were major disagreements between countries that believed in capitalism (like the U.S.) and those that believed in communism (like the Soviet Union). This led to several conflicts, including the Korean War from 1950 to 1953 and the Vietnam War from 1955 to 1975, affecting many nations worldwide.

5. Nuclear Weapons:

   • The development of nuclear weapons changed how countries viewed military power and diplomacy. By the late 1980s, the U.S. and the Soviet Union had a combined total of over 70,000 nuclear warheads.

All these changes together reshaped how countries interacted with each other in the second half of the 20th century.