Might point to as more “powerful” than the US weren’t countries at all. They were empires. The US was the only country on earth, other than colonies, which was fully self-sufficient. Obviously, one can claim that was due to imperialism against natives and Mexico, but nonetheless, the US had what no other country did - self-sufficiency within its 4 borders. And insurmountable barriers in the two oceans we bordered.

It required no vacuum post WW2 to assume its leadership position in the world, and the post war order which led to unprecedented peace and prosperity on earth. At least in the developed world. It just required the will and the necessity. Nobody ceded “#1” to the US. Once imperial Europe fell out of favor, the U.S. was the biggest and strongest simply because it was the biggest and strongest. And had been the world’s strongest for quite some time.

That was the point of Pearl, the US is slumbering and needs to be knocked out in one blow. If you let it get off the mat defeat will simply be a matter of time. Our industrial capacity far exceeded any on earth, in 1940, in 1920, and in 1900. WW2 finally pulled us to full capacity.
[Post edited by hoolstoptheheels at 01/31/2024 1:33PM]