http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1956_Suez_War
The 1956 suez crisis saw the shift in power from european countries to american and USSR. The loss of the empire meant britain didnt need a militart anywhere near as big.

In 1956 Britain had a million men in the forces, most of these where National Servicemen who took on a whole range of tasks, from pilots of jet aircraft, Naval Officers, and every level in the Army, yet they were only paid half the regulars soldiers pay for the two years that were serving. Now this to say the least caused a lot of bitterness from the rank and file, now as a National Service man you knew you had to do this service but it really mucked up your life and when you are still a teenager two years is a long time. Also it must be remembered that the National Servicemen comprised the baulk of the forces in Malaya, Korea, Kenya, Suez and Cyprus, they were in fore front of all the fighting. It was this bitterness from them that had voting age changed from 21 down to 18 as they reckoned if you fight and die for your country then you should be able to say who is going to run it. The Government could not keep the lid on this so in 1960's they decided to bring National Service to an end, so now to attract people to the forces that would have pay a proper wage, and as the government does not like paying for large standing armies the forces have cut back time and time again just to keep the costs down. Well it is not that the Forces can go on strike or hold a protest meeting like the civil servants, and there are now more civil servants running the Army than there actual members of the Forces. This is the main reason that our forces are now so small, yet still effective.

Thanks for the facts and analysis..

Originally Posted by tomtom22

Before beginning a thread like this one should define what it is they are asking comment on. For example, define superpower, what does that mean.

A country or group with the most technologically advanced military, large units of troops, armor and aircraft. A country with enough troops to launch a counterattack when attacked.

Originally Posted by Cadet Seaman

A country or group with the most technologically advanced military, large units of troops, armor and aircraft. A country with enough troops to launch a counterattack when attacked.

Thats only a military superpower though and should also include it must have nukes and probably ballistic missiles.
Superpowers in my view should also have political clout in every country in the world such as america does but china doesnt. The ability to stand alone in situations without the need for allies both politically and militarily...

Originally Posted by Shadowalker

Thats only a military superpower though and should also include it must have nukes and probably ballistic missiles.
Superpowers in my view should also have political clout in every country in the world such as america does but china doesnt. The ability to stand alone in situations without the need for allies both politically and militarily...

Dudes, we already went over this in the first page of the thread.

Originally Posted by Whispering Death

While there are many definitions, superpower as it applies to millitary historians refers to a nation that can project its power effectively to any major geographic region. A regional power is one that carries significant sway in its region, this is the catagory that nations like China and the UK fall under. The difference is that if the US wants to take down Iraq one day in 2002, it can; Brittain does not have the same capabilities to project its power.

Originally Posted by Whispering Death

While there are many definitions, superpower as it applies to millitary historians refers to a nation that can project its power effectively to any major geographic region. A regional power is one that carries significant sway in its region, this is the catagory that nations like China and the UK fall under. The difference is that if the US wants to take down Iraq one day in 2002, it can; Brittain does not have the same capabilities to project its power.

Agree, if we are talking about a "military superpower" but I think the word superpower is more encompassing than that. The economic power of a country is a big consideration, and the two together are what make China a superpower today.

The Chinese economy is a freight train at the moment and for most intl companies, the topic is how you either defend against or take advantage of the Chinese market. Up until recently, China has been a net importer but it is rapidly changing to a net exporter - and thats hurting traditional industries particularly in the United States. And its going to get worse.

So, just because China is not flying its jets over Europe doesn't mean its not a world superpower - its just flexing its muscles in a much different way than the Soviet Union did. Besides, a superpower doesn't have to actively influence (militarily) the rest of the world - its just has to have the means to do it, which China certainly has.

i don't think of the U.K. as a superpower. Sure, they're wealthy, and their military is alright. But if you compare them with like us, china, russia, they're nothing really.

Originally Posted by Rich

Agree, if we are talking about a "military superpower" but I think the word superpower is more encompassing than that. The economic power of a country is a big consideration, and the two together are what make China a superpower today.

The Chinese economy is a freight train at the moment and for most intl companies, the topic is how you either defend against or take advantage of the Chinese market. Up until recently, China has been a net importer but it is rapidly changing to a net exporter - and thats hurting traditional industries particularly in the United States. And its going to get worse.

So, just because China is not flying its jets over Europe doesn't mean its not a world superpower - its just flexing its muscles in a much different way than the Soviet Union did. Besides, a superpower doesn't have to actively influence (militarily) the rest of the world - its just has to have the means to do it, which China certainly has.

I certainly disagree. China is still a regional power but it is a growing power. It has absolutely no ability to project it's millitary power beyond a few hundred miles from its boarders. It can't even take care of Taiwan which is supposed to be part of its country. It's economy is on the up-swing but, again, not significant enough to to be labled as a superpower.

In a fictional scenario let's just say that in case 1 China was angry at France, in case 2 america is angry at france. In case 1 France doesn't get it's cheaply manufactured products, inflating prices somewhat as companies seek more expensive countries to manufacture in. In case 2 America blockades all of it's technology and resources from France, it exerts preassure on other close countries like Japan to also prevent its electronics, cars etc. from being sold to France. Oh boy, I wouldn't want to be in the market for a new TV in France in Case 2! And if it came to all out hatred all China could do is sit and brood in their country hopeing they could use the only weapon that could hit France from China, the nuclear ICBM. Whereas America could use its bases and 12 aircraft carriers to pummell France into a rubble that hasn't been seen since WW2. This is the difference in capability between a superpower and a regional power.

Now why doesn't China have the same millitary power? Because its economy isn't as strong... it can't afford to build huge carriers with smart bombs stationed all around the world. But, it is growing and may one day become a superpower, as might England. But the future is speculate and the present is factual.

England has been a super power and has paid the price in blood over the years. Now just why do we need a huge standing Army when all have to really protect is our own borders. Okay are troops are still spread all over the world on one task or another, also we have a full range of weapons and the methods of delivering them to their targets. I know this does not make us a super power, yet we still have a large amount of power in the military sense.