Final answer:
The winter of 1946-1947 in Western Europe resulted in severe hardships including fuel shortages and exacerbated post-war recovery, contributed to the onset of the Cold War, and encouraged European economic cooperation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The winter of 1946 - 1947 in Western Europe was characterized by extremely harsh weather conditions that led to widespread fuel shortages and heavy rationing. Post-war recovery efforts were severely hampered, and economies that were already struggling found themselves facing additional burdens. The harsh winter underscored the necessity for European economic cooperation, leading to policies that sowed the seeds for future European integration. Making matters worse, the winter strained the already-tense relationship between the Western Allies and the Soviet Union, setting the stage for the continued Cold War tensions. Power struggles and geopolitical shifts were common as the world adjusted to the post-war order, specifically with issues like German reunification and the Berlin Blockade laying foundations for the East-West divide that marked the latter half of the 20th century.