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re: How did America become a superpower?
Posted on 1/29/18 at 2:43 pm to Cool Brigade
Posted on 1/29/18 at 2:43 pm to Cool Brigade
The answer is WWII. We completely changed the industrial complex and ushered in the Nuclear era. Many of this began before but was on full display during that time.. We became the defacto Leader of the Free world and began a messy transition to being the the big guy on the block.
0
Posted on 1/29/18 at 2:45 pm to Cool Brigade
1. two oceans
2. large population
3. vast natural resources
4. pro growth policies
5. ????
6. Profit
2. large population
3. vast natural resources
4. pro growth policies
5. ????
6. Profit
Posted on 1/29/18 at 2:47 pm to Cool Brigade
When we entered WWll, the country had to spend a lot of money to manufacture everything needed for war, which was mostly produced in the US. That was a huge boost to the economy.
After the nazis were defeated we turned our focus to Japan. Truman knew that going to war with Japan would have been a blood bath no matter what. Win or lose, many Americans were going to die so since we recently developed the atomic bomb, he decided to go that route. That played a big factor in us becoming a superpower.
Then the American culture changed after the war. You had suburbs being developed, in many cases, they developed around companies that employed a lot of people.. So all of a sudden there was a housing boom and with the invention of appliances like the washer and dryer, these were things people were buying to put in their new homes.. So that made the economy even stronger. The interstates were built under Eisenhower, which was initially suppose to be for the military, but that made traveling much easier, it allowed products to get to other parts of the country faster, etc.
After the nazis were defeated we turned our focus to Japan. Truman knew that going to war with Japan would have been a blood bath no matter what. Win or lose, many Americans were going to die so since we recently developed the atomic bomb, he decided to go that route. That played a big factor in us becoming a superpower.
Then the American culture changed after the war. You had suburbs being developed, in many cases, they developed around companies that employed a lot of people.. So all of a sudden there was a housing boom and with the invention of appliances like the washer and dryer, these were things people were buying to put in their new homes.. So that made the economy even stronger. The interstates were built under Eisenhower, which was initially suppose to be for the military, but that made traveling much easier, it allowed products to get to other parts of the country faster, etc.
Posted on 1/29/18 at 2:47 pm to Cool Brigade
Massive land mass, access to the Pacific and Atlantic, access to unlimited natural resources, largest producer of steal during WWII, democracy, and historically great foreign policy strategist. Emphasis on military prowess and size. Oh, and our humongous nuclear arsenal.
Posted on 1/29/18 at 2:48 pm to J Murdah
quote:
Go read a book called The Accidental Superpower. It answers all of those questions and more.
This.
Short version: We have the world's longest navigatable river in the Mississippi, a shitload of barrier islands giving us a natural harbor system, the world's largest area of arable land (calories are important), and thus get to spend our money on making the world's baddest navy.
Geographic advantages. Two oceans and hard terrian making invasion nearly impossible. Easy shipping. We can grow all the food. Throw some oil/NG on top of it, and it's obvious why were a superpower.
Posted on 1/29/18 at 2:51 pm to Cool Brigade
On the backs of blacks, just ask any liberal with the white guilt.
Posted on 1/29/18 at 3:03 pm to Cool Brigade
Becoming an Industrial power in the early 1900's, dumping all our resources in updating our military to meet the rest of the world during WWII, and having two oceans seperate us from all of Europe and Asia.
Posted on 1/29/18 at 3:04 pm to Tigeralum2008
quote:
1. England and France were monarchies
Britain was a constitutional monarchy with a pretty weak monarch by the time it was really at the truest height of its power.
France at the very tip of its power was a hybrid empire/republic.
quote:
Soviet Union was communist
A good counter-example but its period in the sun was quite brief relatively speaking.
quote:
1. Nationalism
2. Abundant and diverse natural resources
3. large population relative to rivals
To a degree - not sure our nationalism was any stronger than anyone else's prior to WWII.
quote:
4. Economic wealth where a large % of GDP is dedicated to military
These days compared to the rest of the Western world, yes, but historically and relatively, not so much.
Culture is a huge, huge, piece that I haven't seen mentioned yet. Both externally through soft power and internally through the rule of law, fostering innovation, respect for property, and respect for natural rights have been a major engine for growth and power for the U.S.
Even countries with something approximating our natural advantages (say, Brazil or India or Russia or Mexico) don't have the cultural foundation to grow into a sustainable superpower like we did.
Posted on 1/29/18 at 3:04 pm to Cool Brigade
the beaver trade
Posted on 1/29/18 at 3:06 pm to Duke
Size and geography. The only way that the US ever fails as being the most powerful nation is for it to be divided. We have everything.
If Asia and Europe were ever unified as one nation, maybe they could become equal. But the differences in cultures would keep that from ever happening.
Stay unified and the US has to be the dominant superpower.
So IMO, the answer is when it became unified and the borders reached both oceans.
If Asia and Europe were ever unified as one nation, maybe they could become equal. But the differences in cultures would keep that from ever happening.
Stay unified and the US has to be the dominant superpower.
So IMO, the answer is when it became unified and the borders reached both oceans.
This post was edited on 1/29/18 at 3:10 pm
Posted on 1/29/18 at 3:07 pm to Cool Brigade
quote:
13 colonies managed to become the most powerful
There was over a century of growth before 13 east coast colonies became a superpower. Beat the British twice, Louisiana Purchase, beat the Mexicans, beat the Indians, Manifest Destiny, coast to coast railroad, first in flight, etc. We got worldwide respect in WWI. Winning on both fronts in WWII and having nukes first made us a superpower.
Posted on 1/29/18 at 3:08 pm to Cool Brigade
quote:
How did America become a superpower?
We spoke softly and carried a big fricking stick.
Posted on 1/29/18 at 3:10 pm to Cool Brigade
quote:
I think its bc of the population, vast resources, and less baggage. No wars in the country, no kings, queens or serfdom. Im just curious how 13 colonies managed to become the most powerful, when England, france, and ottoman empire fell. Also, why happened to China or india? They had biggest GDPs in ancient /medieval times. m
We were the only ones left in good shape after WWII. The rest of Europe was mostly a pile of rubble.
Posted on 1/29/18 at 3:11 pm to Cool Brigade
Two big ole ponds separating us from all the bullshite unless it's bullshite we want to participate in
Posted on 1/29/18 at 3:13 pm to Cool Brigade
Resources + Values
Resources
North America has abundant natural resources. We are protected by two great oceans between us and our adversaries. The geography of America is such that many great trading posts were able to spring up naturally, the greatest example being the Mississippi River.
Values
Being organized in a way that emphasized individual freedoms and rights. The principles of our individual citizens were those that led to a leveraging of the resources mentioned above.
Resources
North America has abundant natural resources. We are protected by two great oceans between us and our adversaries. The geography of America is such that many great trading posts were able to spring up naturally, the greatest example being the Mississippi River.
Values
Being organized in a way that emphasized individual freedoms and rights. The principles of our individual citizens were those that led to a leveraging of the resources mentioned above.
This post was edited on 1/29/18 at 3:13 pm
Posted on 1/29/18 at 3:25 pm to LSUminati
Social and economic unrest in the old world (Western Europe) led to pretty much the US and the USSR being the only countries not bankrupt or in shambles.
Posted on 1/29/18 at 3:29 pm to Cool Brigade
Has anyone mentioned the fact that we were the only country to have exited WW2 in better shape than when we came in?
ETA: and as some have mentioned geography was a big part, in terms of natural resources and neighbors.
Canada was only a problem as they were an extension on England, but never a threat to our survival and the Mexican-American War neutered Mexico as a threat.
And again, not only are they not threats from a military standpoint, but they’ve been longtime allies and the threat of war with either is virtually nonexistent. That’s a luxury few, if any large powers have ever had.
ETA: and as some have mentioned geography was a big part, in terms of natural resources and neighbors.
Canada was only a problem as they were an extension on England, but never a threat to our survival and the Mexican-American War neutered Mexico as a threat.
And again, not only are they not threats from a military standpoint, but they’ve been longtime allies and the threat of war with either is virtually nonexistent. That’s a luxury few, if any large powers have ever had.
This post was edited on 1/29/18 at 3:33 pm
Posted on 1/29/18 at 3:30 pm to Cool Brigade
Britain gave us a good chunk of the world's capital in WW1 + our natural resources and population + (mostly) free market system
Posted on 1/29/18 at 3:39 pm to Cool Brigade
quote:
I think its bc of the population, vast resources, and less baggage. No wars in the country, no kings, queens or serfdom. Im just curious how 13 colonies managed to become the most powerful, when England, france, and ottoman empire fell. Also, why happened to China or india? They had biggest GDPs in ancient /medieval times. m
Its because we imported all the kangs and queens from the motherland, and on their back built our empire.
Posted on 1/29/18 at 3:52 pm to theGarnetWay
quote:
And again, not only are they not threats from a military standpoint, but they’ve been longtime allies and the threat of war with either is virtually nonexistent. That’s a luxury few, if any large powers have ever had.
Yep. Makes more sense for all parties to be allies and trade partners than hostile neighbors.
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