How did the Cold War impact global politics?

The Cold War significantly influenced global politics primarily through the formation of military alliances and the initiation of proxy wars. The ideological conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union led to the establishment of various international pacts, such as NATO and the Warsaw Pact, that created clear blocs in global politics. These alliances were formed as a strategic response to perceived threats from opposing ideologies—capitalism versus communism.

Additionally, the Cold War was characterized by numerous proxy wars, where the superpowers supported opposing sides in conflicts occurring in other countries rather than engaging directly with each other. This can be seen in conflicts such as the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and various struggles in Africa and Latin America, where local factions received backing from either the U.S. or the Soviet Union. These proxy wars effectively spread the geopolitical rivalry across the globe, impacting numerous nations that became battlegrounds for this larger ideological struggle.

In contrast, the other options do not adequately reflect the complexities of the Cold War. The notion of immediate global disarmament did not align with the arms race prevalent during this period. While empires shifted after World War II, the Cold War primarily reinforced existing power structures rather than establishing new empires. Furthermore, the idea of a universal shift toward