I voted China. Because why the fuck not.![]()
Beiyang Army under Shikai and his lieutenants was actually pretty freaking strong (enough to give any European power a run for its money). Though I'm having trouble tracking down stats
I voted China. Because why the fuck not.![]()
Considering they did want to sign the 21 Demands, though, they're not very smart...Beiyang Army under Shikai and his lieutenants was actually pretty freaking strong (enough to give any European power a run for its money). Though I'm having trouble tracking down stats
Considering they did want to sign the 21 Demands, though, they're not very smart...
Just prior to WWI Russia indeed, and closely followed by A-H, had the fastest growth in industrialisation. If that growth could have continued of course is a good question, the regime after all wasn't particularly fit for modern life, but just looking at the naval expansion programmes in 1914 would indicate some potential confrontations with the old seapowers. First target would I guess however be the Japanese - a 2nd Russo-Japanese War in first half of 20th century? But they'll probably wait until the Transsiberian Railway is finished.Russian Empire had the most potential. If they could have industrialised in the early 19thC, freed the Serfs, introduced compulsory schooling and liberalised the government then there was the potential by 1914 to be a proper superpower.
At that moment, Germany had the largest strongest army, with the 2nd best navy.
At that moment, Great Britain had the largest strongest navy, and the smallest army in Europe. Maybe 4th or 5th.
The US had jack shit. Nothing. They had the greatest potential, but the question is clearly asking who had the best military at the moment of January 1914.
I give it to Germany. Naval warfare didn't win WWI. Land armies did, and before the US joined in 1917 Germany was able to gain land and hold off Britain, France, and Russia. While also supporting their allies Austria-Hungry and the Ottomans
Beiyang Army under Shikai and his lieutenants was actually pretty freaking strong (enough to give any European power a run for its money). Though I'm having trouble tracking down stats
By the revolution there were either 1) 14 divisions & 18 mixed brigades or 2) 16 divisions & 16 mixed brigades, and actual strength varies between little more than a glorified mixed brigade (26th) or a fully prepared division (8th)
The actual small arms the New Army (immediate precurser to Beiyang) had used include Mannlicher M1895, Gewehr 88 and Arisaka Type 30, probably with Gewehr 88 as the intended final candidate, as "Hanyang 88"
The artillery pieces used during Wuchang Uprising were Japanese Type 31. Some other divisions used Krupp or Gruson guns of the same caliber (75mm). There were Maxim machine guns, but didn't become standard equipment until 1909.
7 votes for Germany already? Jeez
I'd say Republic of China, really because of the mobilization potential and the nature of warfare at the time. You can't win an attrition war with China after all.
I voted China. Because why the fuck not.![]()
Beiyang Army under Shikai and his lieutenants was actually pretty freaking strong (enough to give any European power a run for its money). Though I'm having trouble tracking down stats
Considering they did want to sign the 21 Demands, though, they're not very smart...
First, thanks so much for finding this(how on earth did you find this/snip