The 1914 and 1939 wars that engulfed almost the entire world were known as World Wars due to their unprecedented impact and damage. In this context, explain the consequences of the Second World War with reference to the Cold War.

At the Tehran, Yalta and Potsdam conferences after the second world war, agreements had been reached by the leaders of Britain, USA and the Soviet Union on many questions relating to the future of the liberated countries of Europe. On the question of Japan and Germany, however, no agreement could be arrived at. While the Western countries signed a treaty with Japan in spite of Soviet objections, the differences over Germany became a major source of conflict between the West, led by the USA and the Soviet Union. Soon after the war, the wartime alliance had begun to wear out and a period of Cold War, or armed truce, had set in.