At the end of World War II, there was only one superpower. Who was it?

At the end of World War II, the United States emerged as the preeminent superpower. The devastation experienced by European powers during the war left their economies and militaries weakened, while the U.S. homeland remained relatively unscathed. The U.S. also benefited from a strong economy boosted by wartime production, and it developed and used atomic bombs, showcasing its technological superiority. The Soviet Union, while also a major power with a large and powerful military, took more time to be considered a superpower, which solidified during the early years of the Cold War.

The concept of a "superpower" refers to a nation with the ability to exert its influence on a global scale, which includes strong military capabilities, economic power, political influence, and cultural impact. During and after World War II, superpower status was heavily influenced by nuclear capabilities. Although the Soviet Union would soon rise as a second superpower, leading to a bipolar world order during the Cold War, in the immediate aftermath of World War II, the United States stood alone as the world's unchallenged superpower. This period marked the beginning of American dominance in international affairs, characterized by the establishment of numerous international institutions which the U.S. played a major role in creating, such as the United Nations, World Bank, and International Monetary Fund.