Germany was a European nation that was most powerful until the end of World War 2. After the war and Hitler was removed from power there were many sanctions placed on Germany that limited their ability to gain the same level of power in the future.
In the matters of military might - Soviet Union.
In the matters of technology - probably United Kingdom.
The reason why many African countries (such as Libya) did not become nation states until after World WWII was because of European imperialism.
The British Empire colonized the nation we now call Guyana. It was called British Guiana until the nation gained its independence in 1966.
The Blackfoot still live...but were a powerful plains nation until the late 1800's when smallpox, a drought and declining bison and buffalo decimated the reign.
The purpose of the Nazis were to secure a greater share of the world's future for the Germans, as well as the expansion of the German territory and growth of the German race until it constitutes the largest, most powerful nation in the world and dominates the entire globe. The killing of the Jews and other types of "trash" was to get rid of "inferior species", for the Germans were disillusioned by war slogans.
Argos was fairly powerful in military until around the late 4th century BC.
Germany
Britain
Germany
Italy was the European nation that did not unify until later. It was divided into many states.
Firelord Ozai was the most powerful fire bender in the world, until Aang beat him and he became the most powerful fire bender in the world. If you're talking about political power, he also was very powerful in that he's the head of the fire nation.
The reason why many African countries (such as Libya) did not become nation states until after World WWII was because of European imperialism.
It was not until 1892 that the great European powers finally recognized the US a first class world power. It was then that they upgraded their diplomatic representatives from ministers to ambassadors.At that time this was the mark of being a so-called first division nation.
No Eastern European countries were members of the European Union in 1993. The EU did not expand to the east until 2004 when nine Eastern European countries (with one Western European nation) joined the EU.
The British Empire colonized the nation we now call Guyana. It was called British Guiana until the nation gained its independence in 1966.
Britain had the most powerful navy until about world war 1 and now its probably America.
Until 1940 it had the most powerful navy in the world.
No European nation , until 1763 that Russia had direct access to the Pacific.