Animated Graphic: The Largest Armies in the World 1816-2020

by Will Truman · February 24, 2021

Will Truman

Will Truman is the Editor-in-Chief of Ordinary Times. He is also on Twitter.

Brandon Berg says:

February 24, 2021 at 9:49 am

I’ve seen a lot of these, and I’ve decided that I really do not like this format. There’s way more going on than I can follow. A line graph would be a far more legible way to present the same information, and it can present it all in one still image rather than over the course of a minute-long video.Report
- Will Truman in reply to Brandon Berg says:
  
  February 25, 2021 at 8:00 am
  
  What I like about this format is rewatching each time keeping an eye on a different country’s rise and fall. It’s good for watching individual countries, though line graphs are indeed better for the bigger picture.Report
Damon says:

February 25, 2021 at 7:46 am

Meh…so Rome had the largest army. That was when there was limited force multipliers. We’ve got jets, depleted uranium, nukes, missiles, etc. You don’t necessarily need that many boots on the ground, especially when you just pay locals to run the place for you. That does sometimes mean the stability of your proxy state is questionable….i give you Afganistan.Report
Kolohe says:

February 25, 2021 at 11:12 pm

I think they miss the USA’s brief surge in the Mexican American war, where most sources have the US Army numbering at least 40k-60k troops. (One source say the regular army was only 30k, but there were another 60k volunteers)(or volunteers brought the total strength to 60k, it’s not clear)Report