In each of these cases, the impact of the countries' relative geographic proximity should not be underestimated. Countries like Britain and France, or Holland and England, had significant land to gain from the other and this was a main reason for their conflicts.

The only instance in which a rising power usurped the existing power without war resulting was when the United States overthrew Britain; this example is more analogous to the dynamic between the United States and China since there is less geographical proximity. However, it should also be noted that the United States is significantly more powerful than Britain was and so they should not feel as threatened. However, it would be most useful for the United States to work cooperatively and attempt to contain China's rise through engagement. An attempt to contain China would be ill-advised as it would vastly underestimate the influence that China possesses within...
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