Wanderlust World Wanderlust World Axis (Germany, Italy, Japan) vs. Allies (US, USSR, UK, China). German conquest of Europe, Pearl Harbor, US entry, eventual Allied victory. Millions dead; Europe devastated; US & USSR emerge as superpowers.
Ideological, political, military standoff: USSR & satellites vs. US & allies. Proxy wars, arms race, no direct conflict. Ended with USSR dissolution.
European empires dismantled; former colonies gained independence. Driven by nationalism, anti‑colonial movements, weakened metropole powers. Often violent; created new states and political orders.
The 1940s set the stage for the bipolar world and the end of formal European imperialism.