5 Most Powerful Countries Before World War 2

This article looks at the 5 most powerful countries before World War 2. For a detailed coverage of each major country’s strengths on the eve of the conflict, please head over to the 7 Most Powerful Countries Before World War 2.

5. Japan

Japan was one of the most powerful countries before World War 2. Under the Meiji Restoration, which started in 1868, Japan rapidly transformed itself into a major power through modernization and the adoption of Western technologies, while at the same time upholding its values and traditions. With an ambition to ‘free Asia’ from Western influence, Japan turned into an imperial power in 1895 with the territorial acquisition of Taiwan, and then later Manchuria, Korea, and parts of China. The Japanese military had an estimated manpower of 1.7 million personnel before the conflict started. On the naval front, the country had 10 battleships, 6 aircraft carriers, 65 submarines, 112 destroyers, 18 heavy cruisers, and over 2,200 combat aircraft.