How America became a superpower

15,438,542
0
Published 2016-11-23
America grew from a colony to a superpower in 200 years.

Help us make more ambitious videos by joining the Vox Video Lab. It gets you exclusive perks, like livestream Q&As with all the Vox creators, a badge that levels up over time, and video extras bringing you closer to our work! Learn more at bit.ly/video-lab

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.

Military budget data: www.nationalpriorities.org/campaigns/military-spen…

US foreign bases based on David Vine's book, "Base Nation" www.davidvine.net/base-nation.html

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

Vox.com is a news website that helps you cut through the noise and understand what's really driving the events in the headlines. Check out www.vox.com/

Check out our full video catalog: goo.gl/IZONyE
Follow Vox on Twitter: goo.gl/XFrZ5H
Or on Facebook: goo.gl/U2g06o

All Comments (21)
  • @Vox
    Watch next: Why does the US 800 military bases all around the world? bit.ly/2B3IiFx
  • @dhruvdatta1055
    Those simpler times when you could literally buy an entire state from a country
  • @luckyrefer7442
    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.
  • @Se53533
    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)
  • Fun fact: Americans called hamburgers “liberty steaks” during ww2 because they thought “hamburgers” sounded too German.
  • @toast6494
    US: starts becoming an superpower/empire UK: I raised that boy.
  • @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.
  • I think Vox should've included Geographical, Economical and soft power reasons for US's rise as well.
  • USA: invades other countries and makes them dependent UK: in tears of joy “That's my son!”
  • @lillyie
    the US is like that son who ran away from home but ended up succeding in life
  • @JWo11118
    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.
  • @atrocity2606
    Warning ⚠️ : Everyone, in the comments think’s they are a five star general, and a historian.
  • @MushroomFrostys
    "Use these 10 quick tricks to become a superpower in only 200 years, number 7 will blow you away"
  • @marinanjer4293
    I love how the words "annexed" and "acquired" are used instead of genocide and terrorism
  • @dannydunzo1275
    the intro is the only time ive ever heard Vox praise the USA, i shed a patriotic tear.
  • @cosmic-cookies
    World: How do you help defeat Germany in both the World Wars? America: The key is to be late.
  • America: Topples smaller governments they don’t agree with Britain: Tears of parental joy
  • @sarmadfarooq4329
    If its an external conflict : Its UK If its an internal conflict : Its USA