I believe that it was Japan, after WW2 (when we felt guilty) we dropped "the Atomic bomb" on Nagasaki and Hiroshima killing a quarter of a million people. We went in and rebuilt their country. gave them our technology. And while they were manufacturing compact cars more efficiently than us, we were sending rockets to space. Because of our diversity , we have the greatest minds in the world! Up until 4 years ago, Every country in the world followed our lead. I am old enough to remember when Muammar Gaddafi invaded Kuwait ( the oil country) of course asking us for permission. (The U.S. left out the part, and see what happens. LOL) Well, after the U.S. destroyed his army and before Gaddafi's "assassination " he made a profound statement, that I will never forget " the U.S. is so powerful that when the U.S. sneezes, the rest of the world catches pneumonia"... I never realized the might of the U.S until that moment...