Superpower, term was first used for giant British Empire.
But following to WWII in 1939 – 1945 and Suez crisis in 1956, this status was
diminished. British Empire was the most extensive empire in world history and
considered the foremost great power, holding over 25% of the world's population
and controlling about 25% of the Earth's total land area, while the United
States and the Soviet Union grew in power in World War II.
1898 had embarked the rise of superpower United States.
Since beginning of 19th century when colonial rulers left US, US
could grow and prosper in virtual isolation since 1815. In 1998, US’s support
to Cuba for independence indulged US in war with Spain. As a result of war,
treaty of Paris gave independence to Cuba. Spain also handed over Puerto Rico,
the Philippines and the small island of Guam. In this way US suddenly became
colonial power with dependencies.
US’s role in WWI:-
World War 1 started at 1914. However US entered the war in
1917 for the purpose of global peace especially European peace and to stop the
war for all. On the other hand, treasury secretary William Gibbs McAdoo, a son
in law of staunch idealist President Woodrow Wilson was already forging plans
to replace the pound sterling with dollars as international reserve currency. Wilson
argued that goal of the war had to be the establishment of "community
power" and not a "balance of power," and to achieve
"organized common peace" instead of "organized rivalries."
Germany replied William’s letter after nine days for submarine warfare. William’s
face became pale on the name of war because he didn’t want any blood neither
his soldiers nor others’. Wilson made New York financier Bernard Baruch one of
his top advisers. Baruch and his associates, recruited from the top ranks of
industry, completed their tasks with breath-taking speed. The nominal economic
output of the United States doubled between 1914 and 1918. German Field
Marshall Paul von Hindenburg saw Baruch as the real victor over Germany. In
1921, US signed a separate peace treaty with Germany.
US’s role in WWII:-
US played important role in military operations against Nazi
Germany in WWII. Washington was preparing to take on a leadership role in the
creation of the new Europe. Owing to military supplies and loans, the U.S.
received high profits and made many countries dependent on its economic aid.
Two months after the defeat of Nazi Germany, a special event took place in the
world that radically changed the entire system of international relations. On
August 6 and 9, 1945, U.S. heavy bombers dropped atomic bombs on the Japanese
cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The use of nuclear weapons was brutal
retaliation for Japan's attack on Pearl Harbour and a stern warning to
potential U.S. adversaries. A response from the Soviet Union did not take long
to follow. Soviet scientists accelerated the work on the atomic bomb. The world
saw the beginning of a massive arms race. In the event of a direct military
conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union with the use of atomic
weapons, consequences for all forms of life on Earth could be catastrophic. The
USA and the USSR were struggling for world domination. United States and
Germany both were ruling Germany, providing country with considerable economic
support without expecting anything else in return. But both United States and
Soviet Union were not trying for complete destruction of each other.
Post World Wars:-
Washington skilfully used economic leverage over Europe with
a goal to strengthen its military and political influence in European
countries. US suggested that European countries should take money from them to
reconstruct Europe economically and politically. France, UK, Italy, Belgium and several other
countries agreed to take part in the "Marshall Plan." US invested
hooping $17 billions in the plan and provided funds in bulk to Europe. England
and France, weakened in War could not challenge US in capitalist world. By
1948, the share of industrial production of the U.S. accounted for 55 percent
of the West. Washington was not going to give up its positions on the European
continent. This is how US took over Europe leveraging its currency.
Now its
unchallenged Superpower:-
Nevertheless 16
day shutdown of US government, weak economic recovery and the vast NSA spy scandal,
US remains Unchallenged. Barack Obama comes second to Vladimir Putin, still
they are #1.
The United States still receives far more immigrants each
year (1 million) than any other country in the world.
The United States leads the world in high technology
(Silicon Valley), finance and business (Wall Street), the movies (Hollywood)
and higher education.
Furthermore who is going to challenge USA?
Europeans?- The EU today has 12 percent unemployment –
reaching 26 percent in Greece and Spain – almost zero economic growth, a
declining population in many of its member states.
Japanese?- The Japanese are suffering from a declining and
rapidly aging population, lack of immigration, a Nikkei Index that is still
more than 20,000 points below the level of 1988 and debt that equals 240
percent of GNP.
Russians?- While Russia may have grabbed the headlines for
hosting the forthcoming Olympics and Edward Snowden, it’s no super power. Russia has a
trade profile of a Third World country, a GNP the size of Canada, which
is less than 15 per cent of the United States GDP, no soft power, Silicon
Valley, Hollywood, Wall Street or highly rated universities.
China?- China suffers from massive official corruption, one
party Communist rule, lack of creativity and social stratification. Its massive
air, water and soil pollution problems kill 1.2 million Chinese a year. It will likely be 2050, as its leaders often
admit, before China becomes a thoroughly modern country.
India?- As for India, 830 million people (almost 70 percent
of the population) live in the largely poor countryside where over 160 million
people have no access to water, electricity or sanitation. India leads the
world with the greatest number of illiterate individuals – 35 percent of all
women are illiterate. No less than 25 percent of the population has no
electricity. India has a weak infrastructure, GDP/capita ($1,500) at 138th
place in the world that is barely 3 percent of the American figure and massive
corruption. Finally, its rapid population growth (180 million people added in
the last decade) bodes poorly for its future.
Barely at least for a decade or a two, no one can take
status of superpower from US.
