Why did Russia emerge as a superpower after WW2?

Russia’s superpower status was also grounded on it’s military might. Indeed by 1946, Russia had the largest standing army worldwide, numbering 3 million men. Russia was truly able to compete with its superpower rival America, as it matched the latter’s atomic bomb in 1949, going on to develop it’s own Hydrogen bomb in 1953. Moreover, Russia began developing rockets immediately after war, which could be used as missiles against America. However, Russia’s military might was based on its strong economy, as these projects were extremely expensive. Indeed, Russia’s economy allowed it to devote 7.4 billion roubles to defence spending in the Fourth Five Year Plan, 2 million more than it had spent in the run up to war. For these reasons, Russia’s military might was an important reason for it’s emergence as a superpower status, but it’s economy was more important as it was a prerequisite for its military might.

Russia’s geographical influence was another key reason for it’s superpower status following the end of war. By 1946, Russia had gained a sphere of influence across Eastern Europe and controlled satellite states including Poland, Hungary and Czechoslovakia. Russia controlled these states foreign and economic policy. Importantly, these states acted as a buffer zone against Russia’s capitalist enemies in the west, making Russia somewhat impregnable. Russia’s geographical influence also aided its military might as informal military alliances were formed with the satellite states, providing Russia with allies for future wars. Additionally, Russia’s geographical influence aided it’s economy, as they traded exclusively with Russia. On balance, while Russia’s new geographical influence alone did not grant it’s superpower status, it certainly aided in doing so by giving it control over half of Europe and helping its economy and military might.

In conclusion, Russia emerged as a superpower following World War 2 because of its economy, geographical influence and economy. These three factors were all linked and only together did they allow Russia to hold such this status. However it is plausible to suggest that without it’s military might or economy, Russia would not have had such a big geographical influence as this is what made Russia more powerful than. it’s satellite states. Therefore, Russia’s economy was the most important reason for its new superpower status, as it was a requirement for it’s military might.