The United States emerged as a world power after the first World War. The war severely weakened the European powers that had previously dominated global politics, leading to a power vacuum that the United States was well-positioned to fill. The war also led to the rise of the interwar period characterized by increased isolationism and nationalism in Europe. The United States, on the other hand, took a more active role in international affairs and emerged as a significant economic, military, and political force on the global stage.