How America became a superpower

America grew from a colony to a superpower in 200 years.

2:07 Correction: Cuba seceded from the US in 1902.

With over 800 military bases around the globe, the US is easily the most powerful nation on earth. But it wasn't always this way. The US once played an insignificant role in global affairs. In this 8-minute video, you can see the transformation.

Troop numbers: "Total Military Personnel and Dependent End Strength By Service, Regional Area, and Country". Defense Manpower Data Center. November 7, 2016.

[dhruvdatta]

Those simpler times when you could literally buy an entire state from a country

[jacklong]

find out in the next season of america

[luckyrefer]

One key factor for America's success is that no other state was trying to prevent America's fast growing at 19th century. The civil war did not last too long and the country went back to united with not too much damage. This allows US to grow from thirteen colonies to a sleeping giant at WW1 and WW2.

[Se-sb]

3 things:
1. Napoleonic Wars in Europe
2.First world war in Europe
3.Second world War in Europe
(Europe was strangling each other and while this was happening the US was chilling comfortably)

[toast]

US: *starts becoming an superpower/empire*
UK: *I raised that boy.*

[andreshernandez]

Fun fact: Americans called hamburgers “liberty steaks” during ww2 because they thought “hamburgers” sounded too German.

[NicoloMVilla]

Fun fact, despite "Victory" being associated mostly with Churchill's rethoric, it was used way more often by USA marketing, ex. "victory steak", "victory bond", "victory garden" etc.

[AdarshKumar-njrp]

I think Vox should've included Geographical, Economical and soft power reasons for US's rise as well.

[HeinrichHarryGehrsack]

USA: *invades other countries and makes them dependent*
UK: *in tears of joy* “That's my son!”

[cosmic-cookies]

World: How do you help defeat Germany in both the World Wars?
America: The key is to be late.

[revolutionariesoffreedom]

USA : Hey Imperial Japan wanna hear a joke ? Here it is : Oil
Japan : I don’t get it
USA : exactly

[JWo]

America just like Rome started off as a weak country from a backwater region of the world and became the most powerful country in the world.

[MushroomFrostys]

"Use these 10 quick tricks to become a superpower in only 200 years, number 7 will blow you away"

[cjezinne]

One day my native country of Antarctica will become the World Superpower... One day, One day!

[dannydunzo]

the intro is the only time ive ever heard Vox praise the USA, i shed a patriotic tear.

[TerryTappArt]

The distinction between the United States and the Soviet Union was a difference between capitalism and a form of socialism, not democracy and communism

[Bayleyistrying]

200 years is a short time to become incredibly dominant, yet something so powerful can be highly fragile as well. It only takes one incident to undo two centuries worth of work, let's hope that it doesn't happen anytime soon.

[lillyie]

the US is like that son who ran away from home but ended up succeding in life

[rodolfocabrera]

The most important aspect to the success story is to be sure that your business will grow as you move forward with it as well as you build the your brand

[marinanjer]

I love how the words "annexed" and "acquired" are used instead of genocide and terrorism