America, or the United States, is now the most powerful country in the world. Throughout the past century, America has taken part in every geopolitical conflict on every continent. For each of the events that are now occurring in the world somehow the US has its involvement.
After the First and Second World Wars, America's military and economic power increased many times over. At one time, when America's military was weaker than Morocco's military, how did that country suddenly create the world's most powerful military? The same America that obtained permission from the Ottoman Empire to trade across the Mediterranean Sea is now the world's leader.
In the first part today, I will try to explain to you:
* How did America become so powerful all of a sudden, leaving behind the British and the French empires?
* Why does America become so wealthy?
* What is the reason for the military might of the United States?
* Where does America's power come from nowadays?
* Why doesn't America suffer from a lack of money despite its involvement in so many conflicts?
How did America become so powerful all of a sudden, leaving behind the British and the French empires?
There is no one in the world who hasn't heard the name of the United States of America. Among them, many have heard of America as a peaceful establishment and a superpower. Again, many have heard of America as an oppressive and warmongering country. Regardless of how one knows America, everyone knows that America is currently the leader of the world. Suddenly, many people have questions in their minds: How did America become so powerful, leaving behind the British and French empires?
The United States emerged as a major regional power in the Western Hemisphere following the Mexican-American War of 1846-1848. This war resulted in the United States taking control of a vast territories, including California and Texas. However, it wasn't until the Spanish-American War of 1898 that the United States became a major player on the world stage. The United States achieved a decisive victory over Spain in this war, which lasted only three months. As a result of this victory, the United States took control of several territories, including Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. The Spanish-American War marked the beginning of the United States rise to global prominence.
"In 1898, fifty years after becoming the largest regional power through the Mexican-American War, the United States rose to the forefront of world politics for the first time, like never before. The Spanish-American War began in 1898 and within only three months, the Spanish Empire suffered a significant defeat. Despite Britain and France being the other two great powers at the time, Spain was still considered the third global power. Through this victory in the war, America took over Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines from Spanish rule. It was this war that established America as a major player in world politics."
In 1914, the First World War began. For the first three years of the war, the British, French, and Russians fought against the Germans, Austro-Hungarians, and Ottomans. Although the Germans and Ottomans had initially gained ground, they ultimately lost the war due to rebellion among Arab leaders in the Middle East. In 1917, the fall of the Russian Empire through a revolution led to the emergence of the Soviet Union and the end of the war.
As a result of the Russian Empire's withdrawal from the war in 1917, when Germany seemed poised for victory, a group of Zionist Jews called the Zionists took center stage on the battlefield. The majority of banks in Europe and the owners of the American Federal Reserve Bank were Zionists. They made a deal with the British to force America to enter the war on the side of the British in exchange for establishing an independent state for the Jews in Jerusalem. This agreement became known as the Balfour Declaration.
Although the British emerged victorious in the First World War, it was actually the United States that played the key role in securing the victory. Just 20 years after the First World War, the Second World War broke out. Germany was even more powerful in this war, and in the very first year of the war, Germany invaded France. Britain was preparing to invade in retaliation. Meanwhile, Japan took advantage of the situation and invaded the Philippines and the entire Pacific region from America."
Due to the major mistake of attacking the Soviet Union, Hitler's Germany suffered defeat again in this war. Both World Wars caused the destruction of the military power of Europe and Japan. In the Second World War, America once again saved the British Empire. After these two World Wars, the military power of France and Britain was ultimately destroyed. The seat of world leadership shifted from French and British hands to those of the United States and the Soviet Union. It was for this very reason that the British and French empires were left behind and the United States emerged as a powerful nation.
Our second question was, why did America suddenly become so wealthy?
The answer to this question is related to the answer to the first question. Prior to World War I and II, the most powerful countries in the world were the British Empire and the French Empire. Both the British and the French were the richest and most powerful in both the economic and military fields. The two World Wars resulted in the destruction of the entire industrial base of Europe. The powers of Europe had bombed each other's factories to the extent that the enemy could no longer produce any goods or weapons.
After the Second World War, it was seen that the industries of British, French, Germany, Spanish, Italian, Russia, Chinese, and Japan were all destroyed by the bombing of each other's factories. On the contrary, the United States remained unharmed because the United States was not their enemy's primary target. Although the United States participated in both world wars, it did not suffer any bombing on its mainland as it did not have the technology to bomb America at that time. The navy was the main power in the war, and America's navy made it almost impossible for anyone to invade their homeland.
When Europe and Russia were devastated by bombings, China was still an agriculture-based country. In such circumstances, all the wealthy businessmen of the world, including those from Europe, flocked to the United States. The United States became the safest and most profitable place for all businessmen in Europe.
During the 20 years after World War II, the United States was the only center for industrial production. While the factories of the entire world were destroyed due to the war, American factories were intact. In such a situation, America was the only country that produced high-tech products and exported them all over the world. Since America produced industrial products in a unified manner, it was profitable in international trade as the only country. And that's why suddenly America became the wealthiest country in the world.
Now let's move on to our next topic: Why is America's military so powerful?
Although America emerged victorious in both World Wars, its military position in terms of technology and power was behind that of Germany, Japan, Russia, and the British military forces during those wars. However, the situation changed after the Second World War.
As a result of winning the Second World War, the Germans lost all their military scientists and they all lost their jobs. Even though many of these German scientists applied for jobs with the French, British, and Russians, they were all rejected. No power gave them jobs. In such a situation, America hired these scientists in their military factories for very little money. It is said that all of America's high military technology is the contribution of these German scientists, especially in the production of missiles and satellite technology.
Additionally, in the United States, there is a huge arms trade made on American soil. American weapons are sold throughout the world. Buying weapons from America means helping to make the country's military industry even more powerful. The international arms trade is one of America's most profitable businesses.
When European countries start using American-made weapons, they automatically become weaker than America. Naturally, the country that produces the weapons will be more powerful than the country that buys them. It is through the international arms trade that America has become the owner of the world's most technologically advanced and powerful military force.
However, upon hearing this information, many people may be surprised. The information is that "even after having the world's most powerful military force, America's greatest source of power is its dollar-based international economic system. Its central point is the Federal Reserve Bank of America. And it is because of this dollar-based international economic system that America is able to fight so many wars for so long and yet not suffer from a shortage of money."
"In our second part, we will discuss the international economic system based on the US dollar. I invite you to read the article for the second part. For now, take care and we will see you in the next post.
Thank you!
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