Napoleon Bonaparte was born in Corsica in 1769, an island which was owned by France in the Mediterranean he formed the First French Empire which became the strongest military power in the world at the time.
It took six coalitions to beat the First French Empire. All the coalitions had the British Empire against them with the sixth coalition taking the British Empire, Russian Empire, Austrian Empire, Portugal, Sweden and the Spanish Empire. (Some minor Germanic states were involved too.)
After which Napoleon was exiled to an island off the coast of Tuscany. He returned to Paris later on in 1815 which sparked the seventh coalition. The Napoleonic Wars spanned from 1803 to 1815.
The end of the seventh coalition saw to that Napoleon was exiled further from France to the island of Saint Helena.
Germany
Germany was formed from the state of Prussia
Prussia was hatched from a cannon-ball -Napoleon Bonaparte
Prussia is not a country with an army, but an army with a country
The quotes are correct, the militarism of Prussia was to be feared. Forming the North German Confederation and absolutely crushing France in the Franco-Prussian war 1870-1871 to form the German Empire.
The German Empire was a young Great Power which France, Britain and the Russian Empire did not trust.
France wanted to take back Alsace-Lorraine from the newly-formed state which drove them to search alliances with the British Empire and the Russian Empire. The formation of the alliance: Triple Entente.
One of the German Empire's Kaiser's was called Wilhelm II.
His policy of "Weltpolitik" (which surprise, surprise means "World Policy" in German) the famous "place in the sun" meaning the German Empire wanted to be up there with the big boys with a huge empire (France, United Kingdom and the Russian Empire) such policy was a reason for World war 1 (Although we all know that Gavrilo Princip was the reason!)
Russian Federation
Russia seems pretty big today doesn't it?
Russian Empire
Try it 100 years ago when it was the Russian Empire.
Tsar Nicholas II, the last Tsar was abdicated on February Revolution,1917 (100 years since the February Revolution!)
During this period a Provisional Government was formed which was led by
Alexander Kerensky
The Provisional Government was unpopular with the Russian people due to them still fighting in the World War against the Central Powers.
Vladimir Lenin
On November 7th the Bolshevik Party seized power on what is called the "October Revolution"
This led to the Russian Civil War which was one of the bloodiest civil wars in history.
United Kingdom
At one point having the largest empire and being the most powerful nation in the world.
The sun still never sets on the British Empire.
Of course this is the empire at it's peak in 1921.
Let's see the evolution of the British Empire
It is truly fascinating how it can grow so fast and disappear so rapidly, we maintain good relations with most former colonies through the Commonwealth of Nations!
As with France and the Russian Empire
the British Empire was also a member of the Triple Entente in World War 1, the start of World War 1 is confusing at first, but it's quite simple.
On June 28th, Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria was assassinated by Gavrilo Princip in Serbia, this enraged the Austria-Hungarian Empire
July 5th, Germany gives assurance of support to Austria-Hungary
July 23rd, Austria-Hungary sends an ultimatum to Serbia. Serbia does not accept the terms.
July 28th, Austria Hungary declares war on Serbia
August 1st, Germany declares war on Russia, Italy declares their neutrality and the Ottoman Empire and Germany sign an alliance together.
August 3rd, Germany declares war on France.
August 4th, Germany invades through Belgium, this causes the United Kingdom to protest that it is a violation of the Treaty of London 1839.
August 6th, Austria-Hungary declares war on Russia
August 11th, France declares war on Austria Hungary
August 12th, UK declares war on Austria Hungary.
All central powers and entente powers are now at war with each other.
With the victory of WW1, the British aims of the treaty were to punish Germany but not as hard as France did as they wanted to be able to trade with Germany, he wanted Germany to cut their navy down as he did not want any threats against the Royal Navy.
The "Dogs of War" are loose and the rugged Russian Bear, All bent on blood and robbery has crawled out of his lair It seems a thrashing now and then, will never help to tame That brute, and so he's out upon the "same old game" The Lion did his best to find him some excuse To crawl back to his den again. All efforts were no use He hunger'd for his victim. He's pleased when blood is shed But let us hope his crimes may all recoil on his own head
Weeeeee DON'T. WANt. To. FigHt. bUT bY jiNgO iF wE dO We'Ve GOt The ShiPs, wE'Ve gOt ThE meN, and gOt tHe MoNEy tOO! WE'VE FOUGHT THE BEAR BEFORE, AND WHILE WE'RE BRITONS TRUE, THE RUSSIANS SHALL NOT HAVE CONSTANTINOPLE
The Russian Empire conquered Tatarstan (that's where I'm from). America is today's great power. China could be a great power one day because it is a strong worldly competitor and America owes a lot of debt to China.
I could do another one with the history of China, Japan and US. I just wanted to do the European Great powers... should have probably put that in the title :p
History is cool. It helps us better understand the present. Lets stop waging war amongst ourselves in Europe and lets unite ourselves as a continent of sovereign nation states or else we might destroy ourselves.
Most Helpful Opinions