World’s Major Powers

United States Americans have the benefit of a large land area, rich natural resources, high standards of living, and an educated population. It also possesses a highly skilled, experienced army with superior weapons. After WWII, the United States emerged as a Superpower, with the world’s first nuclear weapons.l From 1946-1990, America had the world’s largest economy, while it engaged in the Cold War with the Soviet Union. The United States also pioneered the development of new information technologies, like the computer and Internet. After the attacks on the World Trade center in 2001, America became engaged in costly wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. At the same time, Americans are being challenged by rising economic competition from overseas. America remains the world’s foremost power with the largest economy and most nuclear weapons.

China Mao Zedong established a Communist totalitarian dictatorship in China in 1949. Although China had the world’s largest population and army, it had low standards of living and inferior technology. China’s economy was then controlled by government decisions. In 1978, more than 90% of its economy was controlled by government run companies. After Mao’s death, China allowed greater freedom of choice in its economy for the people. Starting in the 1990’s, China also began welcoming foreign investors and technology into China. By 2009, only 30% of its production was still controlled by the government. Since then, China has developed into the world’s fastest growing economy. It also continues to have the world’s largest military force, with more than 1.6 million troops as well as its own nuclear weapons. Some experts predict that China will soon become the world’s greatest power.

Russia Russia was the leading part of the Soviet Union, one of the two major Super-powers after World War II. Following its defeat in the Cold War with the United States, Russia has faced great economic challenges in its transition from a Communist to a free-style economy. It continues to have a large and advanced military and possesses the world’s second largest arsenal of nuclear weapons.

Japan Japan has a much smaller population than China, the United States, or Russia. As the target of the world’s only nuclear attack at the end of World War II, Japan has also renounced the use of nuclear weapons. Because of the high education standards and inventiveness of its people, Japan is still a major world power based on its economic strength.