<P> Since the end of the World Wars , the term `` great power '' has been joined by a number of other power classifications . Foremost among these is the concept of the superpower , used to describe those nations with overwhelming power and influence in the rest of the world . It was first coined in 1944 by William T.R. Fox and according to him , there were three superpowers : the British Empire , the United States , and the Soviet Union . But after World War II the British Empire lost its superpower status , leaving the United States and the Soviet Union as the world 's superpowers . The term middle power has emerged for those nations which exercise a degree of global influence , but are insufficient to be decisive on international affairs . Regional powers are those whose influence is generally confined to their region of the world . </P>
<P> Since the end of the World Wars , the term `` great power '' has been joined by a number of other power classifications . Foremost among these is the concept of the superpower , used to describe those nations with overwhelming power and influence in the rest of the world . It was first coined in 1944 by William T.R. Fox and according to him , there were three superpowers : the British Empire , the United States , and the Soviet Union . But after World War II the British Empire lost its superpower status , leaving the United States and the Soviet Union as the world 's superpowers . The term middle power has emerged for those nations which exercise a degree of global influence , but are insufficient to be decisive on international affairs . Regional powers are those whose influence is generally confined to their region of the world . </P>
which countries were considered superpowers after world war ii
which countries were considered superpowers after world war ii
the United States the Soviet Union
the United States the Soviet Union