Top 10 Most Powerful Countries in 1939
Which countries were the most powerful at the start of World War II?
In 1939, Nazi Germany had established itself as a major European power with a highly mobilized military and advanced industrial base. Under the leadership of Adolf Hitler, it pursued aggressive expansionism in Europe, initiating the invasion of Poland and triggering World War II. Since I was anonymous in a previous post, I will not say much here, but I can offer more facts about why Nazi Germany was the most powerful nation entering 1939. Nazi Germany was already a good-sized nation, stretching from Northern and Northern Central Africa into Germany. They were already pressing into the Soviet Union with little effort and were bombarding Britain with their air force.
Although some may say that Nazi Germany propaganda claimed it was the most powerful nation, the facts speak for themselves. People who have encountered World War II will tell haunting events of German invasions of Europe or Allies' defeats at the hands of Nazi Germany. Hitler did not support propaganda like the vast Soviet Union, but he did use it to some extent. Instead, he got the support of the German people, telling them that they are the greatest and the so-called 'inferior' Jews are troublemakers.
The Nazis lost World War II, but they left a vast trail of wreckage in their wake. The Nazis had advanced technology and they could have controlled nuclear power and most likely the world if they did not make racist laws.
The United States was an economic powerhouse in 1939, possessing significant industrial capacity, a vast natural resource base, and a growing military presence. Though initially neutral, it maintained a global influence through economic and diplomatic channels. Having been partly responsible for the Wall Street Crash, which led to an international depression, the United States was the most economically influential world power. Its population didn't grow as rapidly as in previous decades due to immigration restrictions, and the United States was still isolationist, not as military-oriented or imperialistic as the European powers. Nonetheless, the United States' massive economy meant it recovered completely from the greatest financial depression in human history.
In 1939, the Soviet Union was under the rule of Joseph Stalin and had built a large, centralized military and economy. It maintained influence across Eastern Europe and Asia and signed a non-aggression pact with Nazi Germany just before the start of World War II. I personally think the Soviet Union was stronger than the USA for multiple reasons. One of them is their military personnel, the amount of battles they won, their military equipment, and the fact that they went through millions of casualties but kept fighting.
They didn't have the best military technology or tactics (since Stalin had executed all his high-ranking generals), but the Soviets fought the Nazis with unmatched force by simply overwhelming them with their sheer numbers. The Battle of Stalingrad was easily the bloodiest battle in WWII, if not of all time, resulting in over 2 million casualties. The fact that Stalingrad still never surrendered really says something about the strength of the Soviet military.
Heck, without these guys, the Allies would've been complete toast facing up against the Axis. It was only after Hitler invaded Russia that things started to tip in the Allies' favor. Roosevelt and Churchill were willing to ally with Joseph "the Brutal and Paranoid Dictator" Stalin just to get the Soviets on their side. And don't forget, these guys kicked the Nazis' asses in Eastern Europe. These guys were not to be messed with, which is one of the main reasons why we were so afraid of them during the Cold War. There's a reason the USSR and USA emerged as the two global superpowers after the war ended.
And don't forget, these guys were the ones who ended up taking Berlin, not the USA or Britain. That puts them just a little ahead in my book (though Americans and British were still very strong against the Nazis).
The British Empire, the largest empire in history, held territories across Asia, Africa, and the Americas, giving it substantial global influence in 1939. It controlled a powerful navy and held key strategic locations worldwide, positioning it as a dominant colonial and military force. In 1939, Britain was the world's major superpower. It had by far the world's strongest navy, and it had an empire so large it was home to roughly a quarter of the world's population - the largest empire in history.
In 1939, Germany was still recovering from the Treaty of Versailles. The Red Army had proven itself ineffective, and the USSR was still recovering from the Russian Civil War. Most of the world hated this country. The United States did not yet have a substantial military or dominant political position, and like the rest of the world, its economy was struggling from the Great Depression. Japan's military was very effective, but it always suffered from various limitations and never really succeeded in making it onto the platform of major powers.
In terms of power status, the only country that rivaled the British Empire was France, a British ally and major victor of the previous world war. But the following year, France proved incapable of defending itself against a weakened Germany.
By 1939, the Japanese Empire had expanded across East Asia and the Pacific, driven by a powerful military and industrialization. Japan occupied territories in China and aimed to establish a dominant sphere of influence throughout the region. Japan had one of the most powerful navies in the world, second only to the US and Great Britain, giving it unparalleled force projection in the Eastern Hemisphere. Isoroku Yamamoto lost Midway through bad tactical judgment, crippling the IJN carrier force. If Yamamoto had engaged the US with his full fleet and maintained air superiority, the lightly escorted US carriers would have been picked off by the battleships Yamato and Nagato, and the US Navy would not have recovered.
The Japanese Empire was now under a dictatorship, conquering Manchuria and annexing parts of China. The Japanese regime was extremely militaristic and imperialistic, greatly expanding in size from 1931-1939 as a result of a war with China. Japan also notably abandoned the Genoa Treaty, which agreed that the Japanese navy was to be three-fifths the size of the British and American navies.
In 1939, France controlled a vast colonial empire across Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean, enhancing its global reach. Its military was substantial but ultimately unprepared for the rapid invasion by Nazi Germany in 1940. As of 1939, the French Republic was considered to have the largest army in the world and the second-largest empire of the time. With colonies in the farthest stretches of the globe, from French West Africa to French Indochina, they were easily considered one of the most powerful nations of the time. Some people even considered tanks from France to be the best in the world. Although France was later conquered by Nazi Germany, this was due to poor leadership and strategies.
France still retained Indochina and African and Pacific colonies in 1939. World War I had affected France more profoundly than perhaps any other nation economically, as did the Great Depression. France's fragile economy was only beginning to recover when the Depression hit in 1929. France was still very much military-oriented, comparable to its 1914 levels, as they were still extremely wary of the growing power of Germany in the east.
While China was going through a civil war at the time, combined they were still relatively powerful. While they didn't have a particularly powerful military compared to Japan, they were able to hold off their attacks decently well. Although China wasn't extremely developed and had an economy that was primarily centered around agriculture, it was still very powerful compared to other nations of the time.
When combined, China was still indeed a powerful country in 1939. The war with its more powerful neighbor and an ongoing civil war, though, deeply hurt China economically.
Poland in 1939 had a relatively modernized army and was strategically located between Germany and the Soviet Union. It was invaded by both nations in September 1939, marking the beginning of World War II in Europe. Poland fought even when occupied. Its government never surrendered, and it was attacked by the USSR and Nazi Germany. Poland fought for the survival of its fatherland and lost 1/6 of its inhabitants during the war. It also fought in foreign armies in North Africa, Britain, France in 1940 and after Overlord, Italy, and the USSR.
Poland didn't appear that strong, but they only really lost because both Germany and Russia were attacking. They previously beat Russia in the Polish-Russian war of the 1920s. If Russia hadn't attacked Poland in 1939, the progress of Germany would have been slowed.
Canada, as part of the British Commonwealth, supported the Allies and contributed troops and resources in 1939. Its economy and military were growing, influenced by its proximity to the United States and connection to the British Empire. Canada fought on all fronts of the war. She played a huge part in the Battle of the Atlantic and the invasion of Italy. Canada was on the beaches at Normandy and made major contributions in the air as well. Definitely made a larger contribution than France or Poland, which were defeated so early in the war, or India, Australia, or New Zealand who played very little roles in comparison. Pound for pound, Canada lost more men percentage-wise than the US. Canada is definitely more deserving to be in the top ten than a few of the nations that are already there.
Led by Benito Mussolini, the Italian Empire pursued expansionist ambitions in North Africa and the Balkans. Italy was a key member of the Axis powers, with a sizable military presence in the Mediterranean. The Italian Empire was an empire now that Mussolini had invaded and conquered Abyssinia (Ethiopia) at the start of 1936. Compared to the big five, though, Italy was an embarrassment industrially, barely keeping up with small European states such as Belgium and the Netherlands. Mussolini's officials were usually corrupt and disloyal, and Mussolini couldn't and didn't check whether they were doing what he told them. The Fascist regime was, however, extremely militarily oriented, like Nazi Germany, and Italy maintained a population of just under 50 million.
The Newcomers
Luxembourg maintained neutrality in 1939 but was invaded and occupied by Nazi Germany in 1940. Its small size and lack of military resources limited its ability to resist occupation.
In 1939, India was under British colonial rule and contributed significant manpower and resources to the British war effort. Its economy was largely agrarian, but it served as a critical supplier and strategic location in Asia for the Allies. Single-handedly, India defeated the oncoming Japanese Imperial Army and also fought on the European front, despite not having full control over the army. India played a major role in the Great War, perhaps second only to the Soviet Union. The freedom of the West owes a great deal to the contributions of Indian soldiers.
It is unclear why China is ranked above India, considering that there was no China during World War II, and Chinese soldiers did not fight in Asia or Europe, while Indians fought on both fronts.
Sweden maintained a policy of neutrality during 1939, although it had a well-equipped defensive military. It played an important economic role by supplying iron ore to Germany, influencing regional dynamics.
Turkey remained neutral during most of World War II, positioning itself as strategically important between Europe and the Middle East. In 1939, it modernized its military and maintained independence while balancing pressures from surrounding powers. Mustafa Kemal was one of the greatest leaders ever in Turkey.
Spain had recently ended its civil war in 1939, which left the country weakened and under the dictatorship of Francisco Franco. Although officially neutral, Spain's government was sympathetic to the Axis powers. Spain was the biggest empire a long time ago, and then they lost everything. Spain had a civil war. It was Spain vs. Republicans. Spain won, so Franco became Prime Minister of Spain. That's why Spain didn't join the Second World War.
Switzerland maintained its long-standing neutrality in 1939, with a well-prepared defensive military strategy. Its neutral stance allowed it to remain unoccupied throughout World War II while serving as a center for diplomacy.
In 1939, Yugoslavia was a monarchy with a diverse population and a largely agrarian economy. It attempted to maintain neutrality but was later invaded and divided by Axis forces during World War II. Only nation that freed itself from occupation.
The Philippines, under U.S. administration in 1939, served as a strategic location in the Pacific. It had limited military capability but was of strategic interest in the conflict between the U.S. and Japan. The Philippines in 1939 had a small army, a small navy, and an almost non-existent air force. However, two key factors made the Philippines a very hard country to take. First of all, American support of this country greatly prolonged the actual invasion by the Japanese. Many US troops fought until they couldn't in defending key areas such as Manila Bay and parts of the Visayas.
Secondly, the Filipino soldiers were known to be even more resilient, clever, and brutal than even the Japanese. They often used stealth and surprise as weapons to butcher Japanese troops, often in painful and sanguine manners. While the Japanese might have surrounded the Philippines, the sheer number of those willing to die for their country allowed the liberation of the Philippines to be one of the easiest in the entire war. Never underestimate the cleverness, cruelty, willpower, and sheer patriotism of a Filipino soldier.
Romania held significant oil reserves, making it strategically valuable in 1939. It later became aligned with the Axis powers, supplying resources and military support during World War II.
The Netherlands maintained a neutral stance in 1939, though it had a strong colonial presence, particularly in the Dutch East Indies. It was invaded by Nazi Germany in 1940, leading to occupation during World War II. It was stronger than Nazi Germany, and Hitler knew it. He made a plan to force the Netherlands to give up. The plan was to bomb Rotterdam, and it was completely wiped off the map.
As an independent city-state, Vatican City remained neutral throughout World War II. Under Pope Pius XII, it played a diplomatic role and maintained communications with various nations involved in the conflict. It should be the strongest since it's the smallest, you know?
Greece had a relatively small military but held strategic importance in the Mediterranean. In 1940, it successfully resisted an initial Italian invasion, delaying Axis control in the region. Greece fought back an Italian invasion in 1940 and launched a counterattack into Albania. Germany had to conquer them.
To do justice to history, I am obliged to state that, of the enemies confronting us, the Greek soldier fought with death-defying valor. He surrendered only after further resistance had become impossible and senseless. - Hitler
Greece showed Italy and Albania that they are weak (Albania was already not that strong). Greece had such a victory that Germany itself had to face this brave land. It also saved Russian lives by stopping the invasion for a while.
Australia was a British Commonwealth nation with a developing economy and contributed troops and resources to the Allies in 1939. It relied heavily on the British Royal Navy for defense and was part of the Pacific theater during World War II. We saved the butts of a lot of European armies. Back then, we were pretty powerful in comparison to a lot of other nations. We had a population back then that was able to keep Japan occupied. We helped in the Battle of Normandy.
In the Battle of the Pacific, we helped the US by giving them bases and also helped them side-by-side in naval and land campaigns. We also helped the UK and France in the Battle of France, alongside the US. Australia should get a lot more credit than it really does.
We helped by sending lots to war in Europe and shut off many things so our economy wouldn't collapse.
Denmark declared neutrality in 1939, possessing a small military and limited natural resources. It was quickly occupied by Nazi Germany in 1940 due to its strategic location.
Bulgaria in 1939 was a kingdom with a relatively small military and a strategic position in the Balkans. It later joined the Axis powers, providing resources and support in the region.
Czechoslovakia was an industrialized state with advanced military production, but it was occupied by Nazi Germany in 1939 following the Munich Agreement. This occupation marked the end of its independence until the end of World War II. Czechoslovakia was, as many sources say, the 10th strongest economy in the world before the Munich Pact.