(UFSCAR 2007) - Question Hard of History

During the Cold War, the superpowers sought to stand out on the international stage through space exploration and the accumulation of nuclear weapons. The United States' response to the Soviet threat was the implementation of the so-called Containment Policy, which consisted of maintaining a military balance between the two nations to prevent a global nuclear war. What was the main objective of this policy?

During the period known as the 'Revolution of the Modern States', the political fragmentation characteristic of the Middle Ages gave way to centralized structures of power, with monarchs emerging as unifying figures of increasingly defined nations. This process not only reconfigured the political map of Europe but also deeply impacted social and economic organization, transforming the relationship between rulers and the ruled. In 'The Foundations of Power and Wealth', historian Norman Davies states that 'The emergence of modern states was not only the result of political and military forces, but also reflected a change in mentalities and methods of governance.' Considering the context presented and Davies' quote, develop a discursive essay addressing the following points: 1) Explain how the formation of European nation-states altered power dynamics and the political organization of the continent. 2) Discuss the social implications and the new governance paradigm that emerged with the centralization of power in the hands of monarchs and the transition to a more 'national' government.