Germany was determined to take a place among the great powers of europe. to do this, it was vital that germany have a first class navy and it began energetically to build one. which country countered this german activity by starting a massive naval building program and undertaking a complete reworking of their european alliances

by 1890, the united states had by far the world's most productive economy. american industry produced twice as much as its closest competitor--britain. but the united states was not a great military or diplomatic power. its army numbered less than 30,000 troops, and its navy had only about 10,000 seamen. britain's army was five times the size of its american counterpart, and its navy was ten times bigger. the united states' military was small because the country was situated between two large oceans and was surrounded by weak or friendly nations. it faced no serious military threats and had little interest in asserting military power overseas.

in november 1781, john hanson became the first president of the united states in congress assembled, under the articles of confederation. many people have argued that john hanson, and not george washington, was the first president of the united states, but this is not quite true.

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