After the Cold War ended, how did the global balance of power change?
A. The European Union became the main rival of the U.S.
B. Russia lost all influence in the world.
C. The U.S. stood alone as a superpower.
D. Russia and the former Soviet republics became members of NATO.
C. The U.S. stood alone as a superpower.
After the Cold War ended, the global balance of power underwent significant changes. The correct answer is C. The U.S. stood alone as a superpower.
Explanation: The Cold War was a period of political tension and rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union from the end of World War II to the early 1990s. With the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the United States emerged as the sole superpower on the global stage. The European Union (EU) did not become the main rival of the U.S., as stated in option A.
Option B, stating that Russia lost all influence in the world, is incorrect. While the Soviet Union dissolved, Russia continued to maintain significant influence as a major global power, though it did experience some challenges in the immediate aftermath of the Cold War.
Option D, suggesting that Russia and the former Soviet republics became members of NATO, is also incorrect. While some former Soviet republics have joined NATO, such as Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, Russia itself did not become a member and has had a complex relationship with the alliance.
Therefore, option C is the most accurate answer, as it reflects the shift in global power dynamics with the United States ascending as the dominant superpower.
To determine how the global balance of power changed after the Cold War, we need to analyze the options provided and evaluate their accuracy one by one.
A. The European Union became the main rival of the U.S.
The European Union did experience significant growth and integration during and after the Cold War. However, it is not accurate to say that it became the main rival of the U.S. While the EU became a significant economic force, it did not emerge as a direct challenger to the U.S. in terms of global power.
B. Russia lost all influence in the world.
After the Cold War, Russia did experience a decrease in its influence compared to the Soviet Union era. However, stating that Russia lost all influence is an exaggeration. Russia still retains considerable influence in various regions, including Central Asia, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East. It remains one of the major global powers today.
C. The U.S. stood alone as a superpower.
This option is closer to reality compared to the previous ones. After the Cold War, the U.S. emerged as the sole superpower in the world, with an unmatched military capability, economic strength, and global influence. It had no direct peer in terms of power projection. However, it is essential to note that other powers such as China were on the rise and gradually challenged the U.S. hegemony in the following decades.
D. Russia and the former Soviet republics became members of NATO.
This option is not accurate. While some former Soviet republics did join NATO after the Cold War, Russia itself did not become a member of NATO. In fact, the expansion of NATO into Eastern Europe has been a contentious issue between Russia and the West, leading to increased tensions in certain regions.
In conclusion, the most accurate answer is C. The U.S. stood alone as a superpower, but it is crucial to recognize that other powers have risen in influence since the end of the Cold War.