The United States, a vast Empire of Liberty, stretching from sea-to-shining-sea, destined from Creation onwards to spread its message that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness to the world at large... or at least, so it is often said. But I can't help but wonder: just how much of a sure-thing was American Superpower?
Obviously, the United States was not a Superpower until World War 1 at the absolute earliest, and more reasonable estimates would place its emergence as a superpower at the end of World War 2. But it becomes difficult to even class the United States among the Great Powers prior to its show of force in the Spanish-American war, this despite the fact that it controlled nearly a third of the American continent.
So what do American prospects look like without that third, without the Louisiana Purchase?
The most likely outcome for Louisiana, I imagine, would be annexation by the British in the Napoleonic wars, but this is besides the point. Does the rump-east coast United States hold any chance of becoming a Great Power, or even a Superpower?
The rump United States is still an absolutely massive nation, compared to those of Europe, coming in at just over 860,000 square miles. Just to put it in perspective, Germany is 138,000 square miles, France is 248,000, and Great Britain comes in at a paltry 93,000 square miles. Today, the eastern US contains over half of the nation's population at around 180,000,000 souls. It's worth keeping in mind that this number could be even higher with fewer settlers trying their luck in the west. Compare 65 million Britons, 67 million Frenchmen, 82 million Germans, and 144 million Russians. The US would still be at a comfortable 7th place in world population. The east coast has some of the greatest ports and most fertile land in the world.
Obviously, the United States was not a Superpower until World War 1 at the absolute earliest, and more reasonable estimates would place its emergence as a superpower at the end of World War 2. But it becomes difficult to even class the United States among the Great Powers prior to its show of force in the Spanish-American war, this despite the fact that it controlled nearly a third of the American continent.
So what do American prospects look like without that third, without the Louisiana Purchase?
The most likely outcome for Louisiana, I imagine, would be annexation by the British in the Napoleonic wars, but this is besides the point. Does the rump-east coast United States hold any chance of becoming a Great Power, or even a Superpower?
The rump United States is still an absolutely massive nation, compared to those of Europe, coming in at just over 860,000 square miles. Just to put it in perspective, Germany is 138,000 square miles, France is 248,000, and Great Britain comes in at a paltry 93,000 square miles. Today, the eastern US contains over half of the nation's population at around 180,000,000 souls. It's worth keeping in mind that this number could be even higher with fewer settlers trying their luck in the west. Compare 65 million Britons, 67 million Frenchmen, 82 million Germans, and 144 million Russians. The US would still be at a comfortable 7th place in world population. The east coast has some of the greatest ports and most fertile land in the world.
