America's role in the world has also contributed to government growth. After World WarII (1941-1945) the United States emerged as a superpower and took a larger role in world affairs. The government had to grow to keep up with the new responsibilities in foreign affairs and national defense, which has meant not only an increase in the budget and personnel of the Departments of Defense and State, but also in agencies with peripheral connections to international affairs, such as the EPA and the Department of Commerce and Agriculture.