Most Badasas Countries : Awesome Meter Game; Preliminary Rounds

[Keystone]

Round 1: 21st century (2000-Today)
My vote goes for it being too early to know. We're lacking in historical context, but, most importantly, no one really stands out. There's just a bunch of big countries invading small countries, and a bunch of civil wars.

Round 2: Victorian Era (1830-1910)
I guess I'll go with the Germans (specifically Prussia), which won the international game of diplomacy by uniting Germany into one nation-state.

Round 3: Cold War (1945-1991)
The USSR and the USA were the most powerful, but my vote goes to Vietnam (specifically North Vietnam), which successively fought against the Japanese, French, South Vietnamese, Americans, and Chinese, finally culminating in independence. During this time period, the Vietnamese also invaded Cambodia and deposed the Khmer Rouge.

Round 4: The Crusades (1100-1300)
Imo, no question, the Mongols, who are possibly history's greatest badasses. They conquered half the known world, and maybe could have conquered it all if there had been less infighting.

Round 5: Viking Era (800-1000)
I guess I'll go with the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire. This was the last great period of the Roman Empire, which re-established itself against all odds despite threats from the Arabs and Slavic peoples (especially the Bulgarians).

Round 6: World War 2 (1939-1945)
So many good choices. I guess I'll go with the USSR, which suffered incredible devastation, but still managed to be (imo) the most important country in winning WW2.

Round 7: Renaissance (1350-1650)
Spain. Along with Portugal, they did something truly unprecedented (yes, I know that the Vikings spent some time in North America) and insane by sailing to America and conquering it, creating the greatest naval empire in history until the rise of the British. There's a lot of good selections in this time period.

Round 8: Antiquity (600 BC - 600 AD)
Alexander the Great took a fairly small empire and conquered perhaps the greatest empire in the history of the world at that point (Achaemenid Persia), so I'll go with the Macedonians. Rome is up there, though.

 

[Nouw]

I'm not educated enough to make sensible votes but I would like to say this is a great thread idea, keen to see the results.

round 7-italy cause idk da vinci I guess

I don't know why but this line cracked me up. Thanks man.

 

[SerBrittanicus]

Round 4: Holy Roman Empire. The last vestiges of true Roman civilization holding the line whilst Europe was in flux.

I think the Eastern Roman Empire/Byzantine Empire/remnants of the Roman Empire would disagree with you on that. The Byzantines were the direct continuation of the Roman Empire - the HRE's claims to that title were tenuous at best considering a good portion of the land that composed it was across the Rhine where the Romans never managed a permanent presence and most of its people were descended from the Germanic tribes who had destroyed the Western Roman Empire in the first place. The HRE was neither holy nor Roman and it wasn't a very good empire either.

 

[DarkRawen]

Lets see here... Your way of dividing time periods seem a bit odd, but I suppose it's for the purpose of simplicity.

Round 1: 21st century (2000-Today)
I'm not sure, so I'll not answer this.

Round 2: Victoria Era ( 1830-1910)
I'm going with Prussia here. It was during this period that it (as well as other German states) fought wars against several countries (winning all of them, of course) and that the German empire came to exist. Besides, up until 1914 (and slightly past that), the German empire was doing quite well for itself, Prussia being the center of it.


Round 3: Cold War (1945-1991)
Can I vote most countries not USA and USSR? Neither side could be described as particularly awesome during this period, though the countries breaking free of the communist regime didn't do too badly.


Round 4: The Crusades (1100-1300)
Hm, Mongol empire, probably, because obvious answer is answer.


Round 5: Viking Era (800-1000)
Norway/Iceland, because they not only had quite an impact certain countries, but also because they travelled far and they had an actually quite decent law system. Besides, anyone who has read anything from a saga knows this to be the most awesome country.

Round 6: World War 2 (1939-1945)
Switzerland. Fuck fighting wars (Though both the occupied France and Norway both did well fighting the bad guys from within).


Round 7: Renaissance (1350-1650)
I'm going to go with the Italian states, they had quite an influence in politics and trade, and the technological and artistic advances that went down there shaped a lot of what we see today, I suspect. Besides, it's too early for me to choose Prussia or Netherlands, the former was created in 1701, and the latter started their golden age in early to mid 1600).


Round 8: Antiquity (600 BC - 600 AD)
Roman Empire, for all of the reasons people have stated. Had it been earlier, then probably the ancient Greeks, but no such luck

 

[MasterOfHisOwnDomain]

Round 1: 21st century (2000-Today)
Undoubtedly the USA.

Round 2: Victoria Era (1830-1910)
The UK, undoubtedly. Between humiliating China and roundly defeating Russia, it was having its way with much of the world.

Round 3: Cold War (1945-1991)
Again quite clear: the US. Won the Cold War, sent men to the moon, restored Europe with loans etc.,

Round 4: The Crusades (1100-1300)
The Ayyubid Dynasty, essentially on the back of Saladin's resounding defeat of the Crusader forces and capture of the Kingdom of Jerusalem.

Round 5: Viking Era (800-1000)
Probably the Holy Roman Empire under Otto I, who within ten years had "won a decisive victory over the Magyars ... came to the aid of Adelaide, the widowed queen of Italy, defeating her enemies, marrying her, and taking control over Italy ..." and then "deposed the current pope John XII and chose Pope Leo VIII as the new pope".

Round 6: World War 2 (1939-1945)
USSR. Was the deciding force in stopping Nazi Germany, and would have won with or without the UK and USA et al. At the end of the war half of Europe was under its control, and it would compete with the US as world power afterwards.

Round 7: Renaissance (1350-1650)
Probably going to be a neglected choice, but the Ottoman Empire. Put an end to the thousand-year-old Byzantine Empire; and any empire that can only be fended off with a coalition of forces (see Lepanto) is badass IMO.

Round 8: Antiquity (600 BC - 600 AD)
It is hard not to say Rome (Republic or Empire), but I'm going out on a limb and saying Carthage. Possessed a powerful maritime empire and contested the Mediterranean. Also for the exploits of Hannibal, who managed to terrorise Rome with an elephant army and consistently defeat its best armies with almost no support from his home.

 

[TheIronRuler]

Round 3: Cold War (1945-1991)
Can I vote most countries not USA and USSR? Neither side could be described as particularly awesome during this period, though the countries breaking free of the communist regime didn't do too badly.

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Sure you can. Look at the Votes in the Third Round - It has the most varied list of candidates. It doesn't have to be the winner - you choose the most bad-ass country you think deserves the title. Some people chose North Vietnam for the fight it put up, others chose Tito's Yugoslavia for being the leader of the third world (non-aligned movement).

 

[DarkRawen]

Round 3: Cold War (1945-1991)
Can I vote most countries not USA and USSR? Neither side could be described as particularly awesome during this period, though the countries breaking free of the communist regime didn't do too badly.

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Sure you can. Look at the Votes in the Third Round - It has the most varied list of candidates. It doesn't have to be the winner - you choose the most bad-ass country you think deserves the title. Some people chose North Vietnam for the fight it put up, others chose Tito's Yugoslavia for being the leader of the third world (non-aligned movement).

Hm, might as well choose Yugoslavia as well. So yeah, put me down on Yugoslavia for round 3.

 

[TheIronRuler]

Round 4: Holy Roman Empire. The last vestiges of true Roman civilization holding the line whilst Europe was in flux.

I think the Eastern Roman Empire/Byzantine Empire/remnants of the Roman Empire would disagree with you on that. The Byzantines were the direct continuation of the Roman Empire - the HRE's claims to that title were tenuous at best considering a good portion of the land that composed it was across the Rhine where the Romans never managed a permanent presence and most of its people were descended from the Germanic tribes who had destroyed the Western Roman Empire in the first place. The HRE was neither holy nor Roman and it wasn't a very good empire either.

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It's fun to hear the name Holy Roman Empire and realize it wasn't Holy, nor Roman, nor really an Empire. 'Twas a loose collection of independent states, lead by an elected nobleman, so no on the Empire clause. It wasn't Holy, because it often warred with the Pope and very few rulers did in fact get recognized by the pope (given the ceremony). Finally, it wasn't Roman - it was German!

 

[JoJo]

Interesting idea for a thread, here are my picks:

Round 1: 21st century (2000-Today)

Germany - Stable economy, democratic, powerful. Probably the best major country of our times.

Round 2: Victoria Era ( 1830-1910)

British Empire - Largest empire of all time, defined an entire age and brought civilisation across the globe... no of course I'm not biased. >.>

Round 3: Cold War (1945-1991)

United States - A beacon of democracy, culture, science etc... not perfect obviously but the Americans lead the pack and most likely were at it's peak around this time.

Round 4: The Crusades (1100-1300)

Mongols - Great warriors for their time, changed warfare forever. Plus Genghis Khan was awesome!

Round 5: Viking Era (800-1000)

Wessex - Probably not that known outside of the UK, but this small kingdom was the predecessor to England. They defeated the Vikings and united the English under one crown for the first time, eventually becomes the Kings of England.

Round 6: World War 2 (1939-1945)

Great Britain - Other countries may have sacrificed more, but Britain stood alone against the Nazis during it's darkest hour and eventually won the day, to great sacrifice. Jolly good, old chaps!

Round 7: Renaissance (1350-1650)

Italy (the general region) - Centre of the Renaissance, plus they had some really nice paintings...

Round 8: Antiquity (600 BC - 600 AD)

Roman Empire - It's Rome, they're awesome, need I say more?

 

[Frankster]

I think the Eastern Roman Empire/Byzantine Empire/remnants of the Roman Empire would disagree with you on that. The Byzantines were the direct continuation of the Roman Empire - the HRE's claims to that title were tenuous at best considering a good portion of the land that composed it was across the Rhine where the Romans never managed a permanent presence and most of its people were descended from the Germanic tribes who had destroyed the Western Roman Empire in the first place. The HRE was neither holy nor Roman and it wasn't a very good empire either.

Eugh my bad meant the Byzantines. Yeh Byzantine holding the east and allowing breathing space for the countries in mainland europe was what I was referring to.

 

[Shock and Awe]

Round 1: 21st century (2000-Today)-Definitely the United States, sorry but when it comes to absolutely wrecking things the US has no equal. Only country to have both a crap ton of quality and quantity.

Round 2: Victoria Era ( 1830-1910)-Thats hard, but I'm gonna say Prussia. Britain had the Royal Navy which was great, but the Prussian Army was a force of nature. Remember, Prussia wasn't a country with an Army, it was an Army with a country.

Round 3: Cold War (1945-1991)-The Soviet Union. Granted from about 1980 onward the US was easily dominant, from the 50s to the 80s I'd probably bet on the USSR in a one on one conventional war, the US was top with Naval superiority, but the USSR could crush the US in Europe and the Air Battle was nothing but certain.

Round 4: The Crusades (1100-1300)-Mongols. Seriously.

Round 5: Viking Era (800-1000)-Probably the Abbasid Caliphate by default.

Round 6: World War 2 (1939-1945)-Nazi Germany. Their industry was just not up to par and thats what did them in. However, when it came to quality of it's soldiers the Germans were top notch. Consider the following: They were outnumbered and outgunned going against enemies who were expecting them in France 1940 and still completely wrecked everything in their path.

Round 7: Renaissance (1350-1650)-The Poles. Winged Hussars!

Round 8: Antiquity (600 BC - 600 AD)-Rome, definitely cliche but they were the most efficient and effective military in the world. Man for man top of the chain.

 

[Verlander]

The people who are putting USA as 21st century pick... c'mon man, have you been paying attention? Income inequality at an all time high, inability to conclusively win a war, weakening economy, reduced competitiveness, huge national debt... you could go on. The USA certainly had a golden age, but it ain't now.

 

[AnarchistFish]

yeah lol @ the USA winning the first three rounds

if we're judging the 21st century on how awful the countries have been (my only explanation for so many people voting US) then china should win out. just look at africa

 

[maxben]

Round 1: 21st century (2000-Today)
China, it's too early to really say this but I am betting on them to be the main player when we look back on this period, specifically now with the West and Russia at odds again, China will use that to play one side against the other. Bet on it.

Round 2: Victoria Era ( 1830-1910)
Britain, obviously the Pax Britannica makes them the main player and top nation.

Round 3: Cold War (1945-1991)
Israel for the same reason, but I am biased on that one.

Round 4: The Crusades (1100-1300)
The Papal States, this was really at the top of the Pope's power as a physical and spiritual leader. Who else could say "ehhhh, maybe a bunch of people should just march to Jerusalem" and a tonne of random peasants would totally do that? It's this period of huge power that led to Protestantism.

Round 5: Viking Era (800-1000)
I cant pick a country, the Norse win out period. Just search Norsemen on wiki. Owning everything from England to Russia to Sicily, these people were just insane. They never had a singular leadership, but that was central to their way of life and why they were so successful.

Round 6: World War 2 (1939-1945)
Japan, as horrible as they were it was a reminder that white europeans were not the end all. Japan consistently proved that they could go toe to toe with white countries while at the same time colonizing, oppressing and torturing like the best of them.

Round 7: Renaissance (1350-1650)
The Mali Empire, I know I know, a random one. However, these guys were so rich with gold that it was said that when one of their Kings, Musa, went on a hajj, he bought so much in Cairo with gold and lowered the worth of gold globally. It is pretty crazy to personally increase global inflation numbers noticeably.

Round 8: Antiquity (600 BC - 600 AD)
The Persian Achaemenid Empire, yes they had a chronic problem of losing to Greeks but they really were the most amazing power in early antiquity and had they beat the Greeks would have changed the world forever.

you created this thread to suck on israel's dick

And of course we see the above for absolutely no reason. Beyond the complete lack of appropriate capitalization, which we all know is a horrendous crime, this absolutely ridiculous comment is so childish and inane that I'm surprised it was written down by a breathing human being.

 

[AnarchistFish]

you created this thread to suck on israel's dick

And of course we see the above for absolutely no reason. Beyond the complete lack of appropriate capitalization, which we all know is a horrendous crime, this absolutely ridiculous comment is so childish and inane that I'm surprised it was written down by a breathing human being.

that you care so much about something as arbitrary as capitalisation proves your opinion is worthless



(comment isn't so ridiculous considering OP's irritating and continual tendency to promote pro-Israel propaganda on this forum but I digress)

 

[maxben]

you created this thread to suck on israel's dick

And of course we see the above for absolutely no reason. Beyond the complete lack of appropriate capitalization, which we all know is a horrendous crime, this absolutely ridiculous comment is so childish and inane that I'm surprised it was written down by a breathing human being.

that you care so much about something as arbitrary as capitalisation proves your opinion is worthless



(comment isn't so ridiculous considering OP's irritating and continual tendency to promote pro-Israel propaganda on this forum but I digress)

Well obviously that was a joke, sorry if sarcasm can be difficult to ascertain at times. Second of all, propaganda is in the eye of the beholder, and I can guess what your "facts" look like. Thirdly, the fact that he did so in the past has so little to do with this thread that it's ridiculous. He mentions Israel once in the middle of his post, and all of a sudden you claim that that is the PURPOSE of his thread? Do you lack self-awareness? I don't know why I need to ask that considering your answers to the question OP asked, all of them lacking even basic thought or knowledge.

 

[AnarchistFish]

you created this thread to suck on israel's dick

And of course we see the above for absolutely no reason. Beyond the complete lack of appropriate capitalization, which we all know is a horrendous crime, this absolutely ridiculous comment is so childish and inane that I'm surprised it was written down by a breathing human being.

that you care so much about something as arbitrary as capitalisation proves your opinion is worthless



(comment isn't so ridiculous considering OP's irritating and continual tendency to promote pro-Israel propaganda on this forum but I digress)

Well obviously that was a joke, sorry if sarcasm can be difficult to ascertain at times. Second of all, propaganda is in the eye of the beholder, and I can guess what your "facts" look like. Thirdly, the fact that he did so in the past has so little to do with this thread that it's ridiculous. He mentions Israel once in the middle of his post, and all of a sudden you claim that that is the PURPOSE of his thread? Do you lack self-awareness? I don't know why I need to ask that considering your answers to the question OP asked, all of them lacking even basic thought or knowledge.

lol dude everything I say on this site is a joke cos of the reactions I get from people who take me seriously


I really do dislike israel though


i'm gonna get a warning for this aren't i

 

[TheIronRuler]

.

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That comment was of rude, y'know.

I didn't count the Egyptian vote because it was too vague to pin down. Otherwise it's all there.
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yeah lol @ the USA winning the first three rounds

if we're judging the 21st century on how awful the countries have been (my only explanation for so many people voting US) then china should win out. just look at africa

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You don't have one winner in every round - only those going past 25 votes. It means that more than one country can win in a round.
Look on the bright side - Germany is going strong in the first category. Do you have gripes with Germany?

The USA is in the lead in two categories. The Cold War category really shouldn't go for the USA. I would have voted for Vietnam or Yugoslavia (had I not been... *cough* you know).

Thread updated for 14.5.2014. I was away for a while... I'll be back later.