World War I fundamentally impacted global economic structures, leading to drastic changes in production and trade patterns. The devastation of multiple nations caused a shift from traditional agrarian economies to more industrialized systems. Countries faced inflation, unemployment, and debt, leading to protectionist policies and a decrease in international trade. Reconstruction efforts were necessary, with the United States often providing aid and investment, marking its transition into a global economic leader. The interconnectedness established during the war also set the stage for the Great Depression, as economic instability and reliance on loans created cascading failures in the global economy.