What was one effect of the Cold War on international relations?

The correct answer highlights a significant development that emerged during the Cold War: the creation of NATO and the Warsaw Pact. These two military alliances were formed as a direct response to the geopolitical tensions that characterized this period.

NATO, or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, was established in 1949 by Western nations, primarily as a collective defense mechanism against the perceived threat of Soviet expansion in Europe. This alliance focused on mutual defense, ensuring that an attack against one member would be considered an attack against all, thereby enhancing security among member states.

Conversely, the Warsaw Pact was formed in 1955 by the Soviet Union and its Eastern European satellite states as a counterbalance to NATO. It solidified the division of Europe into two opposing military camps and further entrenched the ideological divide between capitalism and communism.

These alliances significantly influenced international relations by creating a bipolar world order, where countries aligned with either NATO or the Warsaw Pact. This division led to various proxy wars, military buildups, and a consistent state of tension, which defined the political landscape of the second half of the 20th century. Thus, the creation of these military alliances played a crucial role in shaping the dynamics of international relations during the Cold War.