SUPERPOWERS

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Superpowers?

term came into use in 1945

distinguishing USSR + USA from traditional great power countries e.g. GB + France

Why were USSR + USA called superpowers?

Large Population - expand labour force, raise large armies

Big (vast geographically) - rich in natural resources, raw material for war e.g. coal, iron (steel industry), oil (transport)

Victorious against Germany's armies which seemed unbeatable as recently as 1941

Control of huge arsenals of nuclear weapons - USA (with GB assistance) - first to develop + use atom bomb in 1945. USSR exploded first atomic bomb in 1949. First hydrogen bomb tested only months after USA's successful test in 1952

USSR - largest army in world - 6m men, 50k tanks, 20k aircraft

USA - richest country in world.

most european countries (including USSR) invaded. suffered damage to cities + industries. USA escaped such ruin and war ended depression - full employment + new markets. by 1945, USA had control of 1/3 of world's industrial production and 1/2 world's shipping. USA wealth made D-Day possible.

in 1945 USA and USSR had no rivals but each other. only they had will, resources + military power to take on global rule. consequently; peace + stability of post-war world depended upon relationship between the 2 superpowers.

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