Friedrich Nietzsche's philosophy significantly impacted existentialism by introducing core concepts such as the nihilism and the will to power. His assertion that "God is dead" challenged traditional morality and compelled individuals to create their own values in a seemingly indifferent universe. This shift away from external sources of meaning laid the groundwork for existentialist thinkers who followed, such as Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir, emphasizing personal authenticity and individual responsibility. Nietzsche's exploration of the human condition, with its inherent struggle and potential for greatness, encouraged later existentialists to address themes of freedom and existence without predetermined answers.