Turn of the Century

Just wanted to see what you all thought.

A convincing argument can be made that the United Kingdom (option 1) was the most powerful country on the face of the planet near the close of Victoria's reign. The Royal Navy ruled the oceans of the world and London ruled the most extensive colonial empire in the history of humanity. From a Canadian paying her respects to Her Majesty the Queen to a Chinese merchant selling tea to a British vessel, the Union Jack meant something to most people of the world - even to those who have never seen it.

Economically, however, the United States (option 2) flew past the old Empire sometime in the closing years of the 19th Century. Driven by a combination of infectious individualism and an unprecedented colonial drive, the United States was industrializing fast. The United States have begun a few decades ago to assert themselves on the international diplomatic scene and its government was beginning to be a colonial power of its own.

Although the British Navy ruled the seas, its army was pathetically small of a great power of its time. Bismark once remarked that if the British Army invaded Germany (option 3), he'd have them all arrested. On the continent itself, the German Army, well developed from the previous decades, reigned supreme. Disciplined, well armed and numerous, it was a key factor in anyone looking to fight a European war.

Despite being out-armed and out-industrialized, the Qing Empire (option 4), based on the largest pool of manpower on the planet, was still a factor to be considered in any Asian affairs. Although defeated repeatedly by western powers and newly-industralized Japan on the field of battle, the invading powers have failed to force China to make any meaningful territorial concessions, opting for trade heavy port cities instead.

What do you think? Vote and, if possible, explain your argument.

I think the most powerful country was the one wich dominated in a 3 front war and lost when its allies fucked it and when it got even more enemies in 1918...

Написао Tirpitz406, 13.04.2015 at 23:01

I think the most powerful country was the one wich dominated in a 3 front war and lost when its allies fucked it and when it got even more enemies in 1918...

Kaiser's descendant

Why do you ask specifically about January 1900?

How about the only superpower and world police, The United States of America.

Написао RaulPB, 14.04.2015 at 10:23

Why do you ask specifically about January 1900?

I had to pick a date and January 1900 sounded as good as any. Now I come to think of it, January 1901 would have been better, but ah well. What's done is done.

Написао Nero, 14.04.2015 at 16:46

How about the only superpower and world police, The United States of America.

In 1900?
That's a joke, right?

I really must question why the Qing are on this list. I'd think something like France would be in its place, although I do know they weren't very powerful at the time, the French were still more powerful than the Qing.

Написао ManlyMan, 14.04.2015 at 21:55

I really must question why the Qing are on this list. I'd think something like France would be in its place, although I do know they weren't very powerful at the time, the French were still more powerful than the Qing.

Each one of the four choices is the world best at something. The United Kingdom had the most extensive empire, the German Reich had the strongest army, the United States had the largest economy and the Qing Empire had the largest population.

France... well, I guess you could argue that France had the most revolutionary politics?

Написао International, 14.04.2015 at 21:40

Написао RaulPB, 14.04.2015 at 10:23

Why do you ask specifically about January 1900?

I had to pick a date and January 1900 sounded as good as any. Now I come to think of it, January 1901 would have been better, but ah well. What's done is done.

I'm really sorry for being so fussy but... the title doesn't explain quite well the aim of this thread in my opinion. Is this about deciding which country had a bigger weight in the development of the century or is it about chosing which was the strongest / most important / most magnificent at that time?

Написао RaulPB, 15.04.2015 at 05:25

I am asking you.

The question means whatever you interpret it to mean.

I am, in essence, asking you to define "influential."

Написао International, 15.04.2015 at 08:53

Написао RaulPB, 15.04.2015 at 05:25

I am asking you.

The question means whatever you interpret it to mean.

I am, in essence, asking you to define "influential."

Hm.... you do realize that's a tough thing to ask for right? XD I'm really not sure what to chose... In my opinion UK might have been the most influetial at the very moment becuase of it's extension, which involves huge political and economical influence... but Germany caused the century to make a u-turn and changed the world with its power and strength, even by losing two WW.... I wouldn't know what to chose

Below

Написао blargh, 15.04.2015 at 12:49

Below

Ha Ha Ha

Sorry, nope, not funny.

Написао RaulPB, 15.04.2015 at 15:53

Написао blargh, 15.04.2015 at 12:49

Below

Ha Ha Ha

Sorry, nope, not funny.

enemy listed >.<

Написао blargh, 15.04.2015 at 15:54

Написао RaulPB, 15.04.2015 at 15:53

Написао blargh, 15.04.2015 at 12:49

Below

Ha Ha Ha

Sorry, nope, not funny.

enemy listed >.<

Omg noooo! Pls! I take it back! It was hilarious! Just pls, don't enemy list me, I will bake you a cake!

Написао RaulPB, 15.04.2015 at 15:57

Написао blargh, 15.04.2015 at 15:54

Написао RaulPB, 15.04.2015 at 15:53

Написао blargh, 15.04.2015 at 12:49

Below

Ha Ha Ha

Sorry, nope, not funny.

enemy listed >.<

Omg noooo! Pls! I take it back! It was hilarious! Just pls, don't enemy list me, I will bake you a cake!

which flavour?

This is a great poll but i feel to answer properly i need to write a book.Keep in mind the word here is not "power" or "superpower" or "achievements" but "influence".

Short story i believe last 50 years its Usa, mainly because of hollywood and media/entertainment sector and second for its foreign policy. Also the banks and jews are off sight controllers of whole economies and banks abroad and that counts as well. Usa economy is only relevant because dollar reserve currency and because Usa uses the fact that it owes money to all the planet to blackmail other countries into not hurting its economy. Usa was dealt the best of cards and took advantage of it by latejoining 2 huge wars from a safe distance and even if only with supporting role in them, managed to reap the best rewards, setting it on a path to being the next superpower and being able to influence whole countries, citizens and politicians alike.

But in the end Usa is Britains child and Britain has influenced the world and especially the Usa in so many ways, its stupid to try to write them down, one by one. I think i would award first place to Britain, for overall influence. Americans dont want to admit it, but Britain set the foundations for everything the United States is and has ever achieved.

Lastly Germany, while contributing so much in so many sectors, from science and technology and military to literature and sociall/sexual revolution ( we are talking about influence and berlin was the capital of sexual freedom and revolution, among other things) but i feel is haunted by all the "what ifs", namely it made bad decisions in both wars and that limited her ability to influence the world as much as it would have, otherwise.

Написао blargh, 15.04.2015 at 16:09

which flavour?

Chocolate or cream and strawberry?

Написао RaulPB, 15.04.2015 at 16:29

Написао blargh, 15.04.2015 at 16:09

which flavour?

Chocolate or cream and strawberry?

any but chocolate, we're friends again

Написао blargh, 15.04.2015 at 16:53

any but chocolate, we're friends again

I don't know which is your favourite so... give me a clue

Vatican =>

this is kind of 'intro' as there are forces that influence the Vatican... but the Vatican ultimately had influence on the HRE, who's kings and royal lineages continue to rule, and who's influence is still visible in Germany, even if behind the scenes. The Vatican provides UK her power, as the crown is given by the Archbishop of Canterbury.... If you accept 'who gives the crown is the source of the power' this is difficult to refute. While the Archbishop publicly maintains independence from the Vatican, if you trace how it was created, it is clearly tied to Rome.

The US is under British control (Treaty of Paris is still in effect). This was re-affirmed in war of 1812 when the British seized all US documents and land titles after US tried to be independent (they subsequently burned the Whitehouse, but then let them have the 'image' of independence). While subtle, it is observed still whenever US presidents interact with the monarch regardless of who's soil they are on... they always bow to her. (Although the Queen bows to the city of London, which is why i said 'intro' at the start.)

So if the Vatican has verifiable, observable control over Germany, UK and USA, all that remains is Qing.

I'd like to know more on that relationship though, as at various times, US, UK, and Catholic states (Spain/Portugal/Dutch, etc.) seem to have had major influence in China. I just don't know of anything 'official' other than their uninvited presence in east Asia.

So based on that, Vatican is best choice based on present, verifiable information.

Написао RaulPB, 15.04.2015 at 18:37

Написао blargh, 15.04.2015 at 16:53

any but chocolate, we're friends again

I don't know which is your favourite so... give me a clue

between those i guess strawberry, but my top cake is carrot