Our political leaders may have been influenced by each other in terms of reforms and advocacy. Their legacy remains not only in their family but to millions of people nationwide inspiring to do the same and lead the nation. Some of them were threatened to death and sentenced to prison but with their strong faith to their principles and fought for their rights and decisions, many stood for them and prove that what they have is right for the people.
Politicians always had strategies in their minds on how to play in the battlefield of thoughts and ideas to lead the nation; these are not limited to marrying other politician’s daughters for men to tie up and form alliances or to conquer other nations aggressively to gain ownership of their land. In spite of all of these, they have gained praises and recognition in honor to their glory.
10. George Washington
George Washington was the first President of the United States of America. He was chosen by unanimous decision of the electors in 1788. He had developed many of the systems that are still being utilized by other presidents such as the cabinet system and delivering an inaugural address.
One of the major contributions of once hailed the “father of his country” was whenhe had established the United States Constitution as well as the Proclamation of Neutrality to stand between France and Britain during the French Revolution to maintain peace and order. Many historians believed that this decision was a very important one because the United States was weak by that time and Washington had seen this as a great opportunity for his country to rebuild what was lost during the war.
9.Franklin Delano Roosevelt
He was a dominant leader of the Democratic Party and the only US president who was elected for more than two terms. He played a major role in the world’s history particularly during the World War II when he supported Great Britain and developed the first atom bomb against the Japanese.
Franklin D. Roosevelt always loved to talk to exercise his curiosity. He rarely considered reading the books. Despite his illness, he also endured his polio throughout his life and aimed more on dealing with obstacles that his country may encounter during his time. He was a public servant even before he became president.
8. Nelson Mandela
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was the first black South African to serve as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999.He shifted the government’s focus to remove the racial segregations by aiming on racism and poverty. He encouraged expanding the healthcare services as well as land reform for the farmers. He improved a new constitution to resolve all human rights abuse where he initiated the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
Due to his efforts, he was awarded more than 250 honors, including the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize. Mandela was also hailed as Madiba or Tata meaning the “father of the nation.”
7. Napoleon Bonaparte
Many of Napoleon Bonaparte’s political ideas were adapted by many politicians until now. He was born on August 15, 1769 and died on May 5, 1821. His cause of death is still being debated by many but one solid conclusion that is being accepted is due to poisoning.
He was known as Napoleon I, the French Emperor who reignedfrom 1804 to 1815 and the first monarch to bear the emperor title after Charles the Fat. He created the Napoleonic Code that prohibits privileges based from birth, allows freedom of religion and assigns jobs to people who are qualified the most.
6. Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill was a Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1940 to 1945 then continued from 1951 to 1955. He received the Nobel Prize in Literature for his efforts as a writer, historian and artist. Churchill was the only one that showed strong opposition against Adolf Hitler among other European countries during the Second World War. He led Great Britain until they claimed the victoryagainst the Nazis. Aside from receiving an honor of a state funeral by Queen Elizabeth II and the Nobel Prize, he was the first person to become an American citizen of the United States.
5. Mahatma Gandhi
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was called “Mahatma” when he was in South Africa; from then on, the said honorific stuck even if he is sometimes called as “Bapu” meaning “father”. He let the people specifically the farmers, urban laborers and peasants to protest against tax as well as discrimination to get the government’s attention. Gandhi also focused with poverty, women’s rights, and religion towards independence. Despite his leadership and fame, he stayed in a self-sufficient community where he took long fasts for self-purification and social protest. Many people were inspired by his actions and considered him as India’s “Father of the Nation”.
4. Alexander the Great
Alexander the Great was Aristotle’s student when he was young. Aristotle’s teachings may have influenced him along with his other teachers like Leonidas,making him undefeated in every battle. He was also able to create one of the biggest empires by the age of thirty.
There were a couple of myths and legends that started during his birth and childhood. A legend was told that his mother’s womb was struck by a lightning bolt while his father saw his mother with a seal of a lion. Regardless of the stories, his battle strategies have made him aninevitable and a successful military commander. His troops used terrains, phalanx and cavalry tactics. While his battalion is usually outnumbered, with his bold strategy and loyalty of his troops, he was able to surpass all the cities they attempt to conquer.
3. Martin Luther King
Martin Luther King, Jr. was the person who delivered the speech, “I Have a Dream” that inspired millions of Americans to end racism in the United States. His was born with the name Michael King but it was changed in honor of a German reformer, Martin Luther. He had been a civil rights activist ever since and an advocate of anti-racism and inequality. He used no violence while fighting for the black Americans’ voice. To this date, a US Federal Holiday has been declared after him as well as renamed hundreds of streets in his honor. Recently, his memorial statue was built and opened on the National Mall.
2. Julius Caesar
Julius Caesar has been noted as one of the greatest political leaders who had conquered and raised the Roman Empire along with Crassus and Pompey; forming the First Triumvirate or the “rule of three men”. As he claims the role of controlling the government as dictator in Rome, he started to establish programs of social and governmental reforms which include the creation of Julian calendar.After the escape of Pompey, Caesar became stronger as a ruler with Mark Anthony as his second in command. From then on, he meets Cleopatra and started a relationship. Meanwhile, he was given the position as dictator for life. After his secret opponents found this could be lethal, 63 of the senate had participated on his assassination stabbing him 23 times.
1. Abraham Lincoln
When he was elected as the 16th President of the United States, he helped abolishing slavery and strengthened the government. Abraham Lincoln was raised in a poor family which made him aspire to improve the economy. Of all the presidents of the United States, Lincoln has been considered one of the most honorable presidents who have helped his country to modernize itself. His assassination has made him a martyr and received recognitionfor his abilities. His memorials are still known to many and are visited by millions in memory of his outstanding leadership such as the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., Ford’s Theatre and Peterson House in Washington and his sculpture in Mt. Rushmore.
