Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
The Moghul Empire never extended over even a quarter of the territory of the present Russian Federation, nor did it rule over more people that today's Russia.
The USSR was almost certainly the largest part of the globe to ever be within the confines of influence of a single ruler.. The British Empire including Canada, India and Australia would probably come in second.
Actually, at its apogee, 25% of the world's land was under the British flag.
That being said, I think the definition of "Superpower" is a little dicey. What makes a country a Superpower? It has to be much more than sheer military might, as the ultimate fragility of the Soviet Union showed us. Are you really a superpower when you collapse so quickly? Instead, I think a Superpower has to be that way through a combination of factors: Economics, Military, Culture, and the political will to project power.
I think Britain certainly had the title from the early 18th Century through World War I, for it was the center of the political and economic world. Perhaps even to the Independence of India.
Rome? No question.
The Abassids are worth a mention.
One or two Chinese dynastics would likely be candidates, except for the fact that they really never were keen on projecting power past their borders.
The Mongols? I'm skeptical, because there was nothing lasting from their conquests.
The Spanish? Probably a good candidate.
The Alexandrine Greeks? Well, since his conquered lands quickly split up into three different entities, I'm not sure you can say that about them either.
The mongol empire in the 13th century including most of russia, china, korea, mongolia, and signficant portions of the Middle East (and Persia and India I believe). It was short lived in most of those areas, however. And its influence was limited because it never truly developed a powerful cultural influence, adapting the culture of those that it ruled.
I think the Mongol Empire definitely was super power in itsheight, lasting about 100-150 years or so. It may have been short period but Mongols even reached border of central Europe (see Mongol invasion of Europe - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia). Mongol Empire most definitely was most power country at that period and was capable of projecting power through out the world. They even fought the Egyptian Mamluks for the middle east.
The Mongol Empire may have broken up, but they left a lasting influence. Russia was under Mongol control for 100s of years even after the main empire split up. Even after it end, there many Mongol invasions by their descends. Timur the lame created a pretty big empire in the middle east. Not mention the Mughal empire in India was also founded by descends of the Mongols. A lots of people in Asia have Mongol blood in them due their huge conquests.
The mongol empire was huge, but fairly shortly after its creation it split into seperate pieces. Only for a brief period after the death of Ghengis Khan was it united under a single ruler.
Although its true authority in North Africa is debateable. Even in Egypt local rulers commonly had as much authority as the sultan and this is even more true of the rest of the region.
Throughout history which nations have been true Superpowers of their time? I know that now America is, and that not long ago the Soviet Union was, but what about before that?
The English speaking people have ruled the seas for a 1,000 years.
The English speaking people have ruled the seas for a 1,000 years.
No. Britain only came to rule the waves after they broke the Spanish Armada. Before the Spain and Portugal ruled the seas. Thus why the Pope sanctioned the Treaty of Tordesillas.
No. Britain only came to rule the waves after they broke the Spanish Armada. Before the Spain and Portugal ruled the seas. Thus why the Pope sanctioned the Treaty of Tordesillas.
According to you logic the English had a weak navy the day before "they broke the back of the Spanish.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
