5 Most Powerful Countries Before World War 2

2. Germany

Germany was among the most powerful countries before World War 2, annexing various countries and regions across Europe, including Austria and Czechoslovakia before the conflict started. While Great Britain and France were superior compared to Germany when it came to population, manpower, and industrial resources, the Germans had a strong military due to their rigorous training, discipline, quality of weapons, and fighting spirit. The country had 100 infantry divisions and six armored divisions. Each division comprised between 12,000 to 25,000 troops equipped with over 440 machine guns, 135 mortars, more than 70 anti-tank guns, and 24 howitzers.