7 Most Powerful Countries Before World War 2

1. Great Britain

Great Britain was the most powerful country in the world heading into World War 2, just as it was before World War 1. Stephen Leacock in his 1941 book ‘The British Empire’ mentioned that the crown held direct or de facto control over about a quarter of the world’s population and economic resources. The empire also boasted the strongest and largest navy in the world, with 15 battleships, 7 aircraft carriers, 66 cruisers, 184 destroyers, 60 submarines, and 45 patrol and escort vessels. It also had the most naval bases in the world. On the aerial front, Great Britain had 536 bombers and 608 fighter jets, among other military aircraft.

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Disclosure: None. 7 Most Powerful Countries Before World War 2 is originally published on Insider Monkey.