In this video, we explore the historical evolution of military personnel across countries from 1820 to 2022. Military personnel are defined as troops directly under national government command, prepared for combat. The analysis excludes reserve forces, colonial troops, irregular units like civil defense and frontier guards, as well as quasi-military groups such as carabinieri and cossacks.
Throughout history, nations have adjusted their military size and spending during wartime, whether through increased government allocations or drafting. This pattern is evident in conflicts like the Russo-Japanese War, American Civil War, Russian Civil War, Chinese Civil War, World War I, World War II, and the Vietnam War.
Join us on a journey through centuries of historical events and wars to observe the fluctuating sizes of the world's largest armies, providing insight into the changing dynamics of military forces globally.
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DISCLAIMER: This comparison is based on public data, surveys, public comments & discussions and approximate estimations that might be subjected to some degree of error.
Main conflicts:
- Crimean War (1853-1856): Military conflict involving the Ottoman Empire, France, the United Kingdom, and the Kingdom of Sardinia against Russia.
- World War I (1914-1918): The largest global conflict involving many nations, including the Allies and the Central Powers.
- World War II (1939-1945): An even more destructive global war involving the Allies and the Axis, spanning much of the world.
- American Civil War (1861-1865): Armed conflict between the Northern and Southern states of the United States, resulting in the abolition of slavery.
- Korean War (1950-1953): Conflict between North Korea (supported by China and the USSR) and South Korea (backed by the UN and the USA).
- Vietnam War (1955-1975): Confrontation between Communist North Vietnam and US-backed South Vietnam.
- Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905): Conflict between Russia and Japan over control of territories in East Asia.
- Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988): Prolonged conflict between Iraq and Iran that had a significant impact on the political landscape of the region.
- Soviet-Afghan War (1979-1989): Soviet intervention in Afghanistan, opposed by the United States and other countries, against the mujahideen.
- Iraq War (2003-2011): Coalition invasion, including the United States and its allies, into Iraq to topple the regime of Saddam Hussein.