Effects of war

Political Effects

Change in political structure: War can instigate significant political change. In many cases, the fall of authoritative or oppressive powers can create the opportunity for the establishment of democracy. For example, the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II led to the formation of the Federal Republic of Germany.
Rise of superpowers: Some global conflicts, like World War II, shaped the geopolitical landscape, leading to the rise of the USA and USSR as superpowers, subsequently, the onset of the Cold War.
Colonial independence: Numerous wars, like World War II, weakened the colonial powers prompting the decolonisation process and the emergence of many independent nations across Africa and Asia.

War economy: During periods of conflict, economies commonly shift towards militarisation in order to support the war effort, increasing manufacturing jobs but also diverting resources from other sectors.
Post-war recessions: The sudden de-escalation and conversion back to a peacetime economy post-war can often trigger recessions or depressions. After World War I, the world saw a brief economic depression.
Reconstructive growth: On the contrary, post-war periods can trigger economic booms due to the necessity for reconstruction. Post-World War II, the United States saw significant economic growth, known as the ‘Golden Age of Capitalism’.

Population shift: Wars can cause massive population shifts due to displacement, migration, and changes in demographics from war casualties. For example, the partition of India led to one of the most significant mass migrations in modern history.
Women’s roles and rights: The need for labour during war times often leads women to fill roles traditionally held by men. This often triggers societal changes, leading to shifts in women’s rights and their roles in society, as seen during and after both World Wars.
Psychological Impact: The trauma of wars has long-standing impacts on Soldiers and civilians alike. The 20th century saw the recognition of war-induced psychological conditions like Shell Shock (World War I) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (Vietnam War).

Military technology advancements: War often speeds up technological development, especially in military tech. Nuclear fission and the creation of atomic weapons in World War II is one example.
Space Race: During the Cold War, competition between the USA and USSR led to significant advancements in space exploration technology, including satellites and manned missions to space.
Legacy conditions: Wars often leave behind a legacy of conditions that influence future conflicts. For example, the Treaty of Versailles imposed punitive conditions on defeated Germany after World War I, contributing to World War II’s outbreak.

Changing Alliances: Post-war periods often witness shifts in alliances. The NATO and Warsaw Pact, for instance, were born in the aftermath of World War II.
Rise of International Organizations: In an effort to prevent future conflicts and promote peaceful relations, wars often give rise to international organizations like League of Nations (post World War I) and United Nations (post World War II).
War Crimes and Accountability: The Nuremberg Trials post World War II set a precedent for future conflicts, establishing the principle of personal accountability for war crimes, genocides, and crimes against humanity.