What long-term impacts are referred to as the legacies of the war?

The correct answer highlights the significant and multifaceted impacts that war can have on both the global stage and within societies. Geopolitical changes often reflect shifts in power dynamics among countries, such as the rise or fall of empires, the drawing of new borders, and the establishment of new governance structures. Societal shifts may include changes in social norms, the emergence of new ideologies, and profound alterations in national identities, often resulting from the experiences of conflict.

For instance, after major conflicts like World War I and World War II, we observe major redrawing of borders, establishment of new nations, and the rise of international organizations aimed at promoting peace and collaboration. Societal shifts may also manifest in increased roles for various demographic groups in governance and military affairs or changes in public sentiment regarding war and peace.

While military alliances, technological advancements, and economic consequences are also significant, they often serve as components or outcomes of the broader geopolitical and societal changes that the correct answer encompasses. These elements are important but are part of the larger picture of how wars shape the course of history and influence national and international dynamics in the long term.