Top Ten Most Important Leaders In World History

The Top Ten
Alexander The Great Alexander III of Macedon, commonly known as Alexander the Great, was a King of the Ancient Greek kingdom of Macedon and a member of the Argead dynasty.

He certainly played a large role in history, but in my opinion, he was rather awful (quite ironically). He was a power-hungry tyrant who is suspected to have organized the murder of his father. He put his own selfish desires before his people and was very vain. He died quite young, and there is speculation that he was poisoned by one of his soldiers after making his army travel and conquer for eleven years despite their protests.

Alexander the Great, also known as Alexander Macedon, was very famous and well-known. There is a bittersweet tension between his vision, military deeds, and his somewhat intimidating and less intellectual persona.

Adolf Hitler Adolf Hitler (April 20, 1889 - April 30, 1945) was a German politician of Austrian descent who served as the leader of the Nazi Party since 1921, Chancellor of Germany since 1933, and Führer of Nazi Germany since 1934. As dictator of Nazi Germany, he reversed the Treaty of Versailles, initiated World... read more

Adolf Hitler was undoubtedly a horrible person and probably influenced the world in the worst and most disgraceful way possible, leading to Germany's dismay for over 40 years. Although the word "bad" was invented because of him, he was one of the greatest leaders of all time. He was almost successful in a herculean task, one of the greatest speakers, led a country with pure leadership, and was always determined for success.

Although he was a terrible human being, he is still known as the most important and one of the best dictators/leaders of all time. It takes a genius to run a country like he did. Of course, he was a sadistic dictator, but let's not forget how important he was in our history. We can't change that.

Mustafa Kemal Ataturk

A father, a teacher, a revolutionary, a wiz, and a marshal. The dynasty was corrupted, and the whole country was surrounded by enemies. He shined like a hope upon the people. Today, 19th May, he established the national struggle, started the independence war, and encouraged people to drive the enemies from their lands.

After long war days, the Turkish people met peace again, and the sun rose again in every corner of the region. He didn't confine himself to those accomplishments. He made countless revolutions like recognition of the right to vote for women, opening schools in every corner of Anatolia, the alphabet revolution, the industrial revolution, and many other reforms.

As a writer, he produced various books about science and history. He was a true man of culture. He also performed a traditional dance named "Zeybek" with his friends. I would give you more information about Ataturk, but I recommend you read about his life from a reliable source.

Muhammad Muhammad ibn Abdullah (570 AD - 632 AD) was an Arab religious, social, and political leader and the founder of the world religion of Islam. According to Islamic doctrine, he was a prophet, divinely inspired to preach and confirm the monotheistic teachings of Adam, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and other prophets... read more

Muhammad SAW is undoubtedly the greatest leader of all time. He effectively united the backward society of Arabia, established peace and unity among people, and won many battles against larger armies. He spread Islam faster and more effectively than other religions. During the time of Islam, the world experienced peace and harmony.

Now, with the decline of Islamic rule, the effects of disunity can be seen today, especially in the Middle East, which has been most affected.

Martin Luther King Jr. Martin Luther King Jr. (born Michael King Jr.; January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968) was an African American minister and activist who became the most visible spokesperson and leader in the civil rights movement from 1955 until his assassination in 1968. King is best known for advancing civil rights through... read more
Julius Caesar Gaius Julius Caesar, known by his cognomen Julius Caesar, was a Roman politician and military general who played a critical role in the events that led to the demise of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Roman Empire.

He certainly had his flaws, but he was a wonderful leader who cared about the common people of Rome and not just the upper class. He was a genius military general as well, and his impact on society is massive.

He helped make Western culture what it is today. France would not exist without the founder of the Roman Empire.

Jesus Christ Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem, Palestine. He was born to Mary, as the bible says "she was found with child of the Holy Ghost" (Matthew 1:18). He was both man and God (John 20:28). According to the bible He is God alone (Deuteronomy 6:4)... read more

Jesus Christ is God, not just the Son of God. He also has the greatest influence on the world. Technically speaking, Jesus is the head of the Catholic Church, which has had a significant impact on world affairs, cultures, wars, and just about everything.

You can't say he didn't exist because, one, who then started Christianity? And two, we have millions of testimonies from people who have seen and touched him. How is Alexander the Great more influential than God, the founder of Christianity and a democratic culture?

Napoleon Bonaparte Napoléon Bonaparte was a French military and political leader who rose to prominence during the French Revolution and led several successful campaigns during the Revolutionary Wars.

Come on, people. This guy spread democracy across Europe!

Mao Zedong Mao Zedong, also transliterated as Mao Tse-tung and commonly referred to as Chairman Mao, was a Chinese communist revolutionary and founding father of the People's Republic of China, which he governed as Chairman of the Communist Party of China from its establishment in 1949, until his death in 1976... read more

Even more horrible than Hitler. Mao was history's biggest-ever killer of civilians, which unfortunately does make him important.

Joan of Arc Joan of Arc, nicknamed "The Maid of Orléans", is considered a heroine of France for her role during the Lancastrian phase of the Hundred Years' War, and was canonized as a Roman Catholic saint... read more

The Newcomers

? Skanderbeg
? Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher
The Contenders
Joseph Stalin Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin was a Georgian dictator, and was the leader of the Soviet Union from the mid-1920s until his death in 1953. Holding the post of the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, he was effectively the dictator of the state.

He's here because the Soviet Union was one of the two most important countries in the world, from the time he came to power until it ended. He was a very, very effective leader, no matter how many people he killed.

He established a backward global superpower through will and might, while controlling and holding his power from his enemies.

While he established a totalitarian dictatorship, he was a very good strategist.

George Washington George Washington (February 22, 1732– December 14, 1799) was an American military officer, statesman, and Founding Father who served as the first president of the United States from 1789 to 1797. Appointed by the Continental Congress as commander of the Continental Army, Washington led the Patriot... read more
Mahatma Gandhi Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was the preeminent leader of the Indian independence movement in British-ruled India.

A student named Lilly asked Barack Obama which person, living or dead, he would like to have dinner with. He replied, "Mahatma Gandhi."

"Christ gave us the goals, and Mahatma Gandhi the tactics." - Martin Luther King

"I believe that Gandhi's views were the most enlightened of all the political men of our time." - Albert Einstein

Harris Majeke, South Africa's ambassador to India, said, "While Nelson Mandela is the father of South Africa, Mahatma Gandhi is our grandfather."

He was a great leader and led the Indian independence movement. Words are nothing to define him. He led the protest against discrimination against blacks in South Africa. He was a great gift from God to this planet. He gave independence to India with non-violence and truth. He united the whole country. He is a great inspiration for every world leader who defeated the British without even one bullet or any violence.

Abraham Lincoln Abraham Lincoln (February 12, 1809 – April 15, 1865) was an American lawyer and statesman who served as the 16th president of the United States from 1861 until his assassination in 1865. Lincoln led the nation through the American Civil War and succeeded in preserving the Union, abolishing slavery,... read more

Although I would like to vote for M.L. King Jr., I have to hand it to Lincoln because, without him, slavery could possibly still be a thing in America and King wouldn't have even gotten the chance to give his speech.

Abraham Lincoln was a great leader who also loved cats!

B. R. Ambedkar Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (14 April 1891 – 6 December 1956), popularly known as Babasaheb or B. R. Ambedkar, was an Indian jurist, economist, politician and social reformer who inspired the Dalit Buddhist movement and campaigned against social discrimination towards Untouchables (Dalits), while also... read more

He was the greatest leader of India, dedicating his whole life to the betterment and equality of people. He was the father of the Indian Constitution. The Reserve Bank of India was established based on his book Problem of the Rupee: Its Origin and Its Solution. He was the first person in modern India to advocate for gender equality and women's rights.

He introduced the 8-hour work shift rule and set minimum wages for laborers. He also established the provision for maternity leave. The Indian constitution is the longest in the world, making India a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic, assuring its citizens of justice, equality, and liberty, and endeavoring to promote fraternity among them.

He also inspired millions of Hindus, especially Dalits, to leave Hinduism, which is based on casteism and inequality, and to embrace Buddhism and the teachings of Buddha.

Winston Churchill Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill was a British statesman who was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1940 to 1945 and again from 1951 to 1955. Churchill was also an officer in the British Army, a historian, and a writer.

This dude literally carried the entire Allies for a long time and had to hold the Western Front alone, after the fall of France, against the extremely powerful Third Reich for around a year. If the Brits had an idiot instead of Churchill, you probably wouldn't be reading this list.

Best prime minister ever.

We may never have a British ruler like him again.

Muhammad Ali Jinnah "Quaid-e-Azam" Muhammad Ali Jinnah (December 25th 1876 - September 11th 1948) was a British-Indian lawyer and politician, whom would later go on to become the founder of Pakistan in 1947 and its first Governor-General. He died only a year after from tuberculous, but has remained an influential and important... read more

He made a country that never existed before and did it single-handedly through constitutional means and the power of the vote. He fought against those who used religious angles in politics, namely Gandhi. What a man was Jinnah!

He was the best leader in the history of the world. He was not only a leader of Muslims but all the people of India. He founded the biggest Islamic state in the world, Pakistan.

Great man. I love him. Supreme leader.

Nelson Mandela Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (18 July 1918 – 5 December 2013) was a South African anti-apartheid activist who served as the first president of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. He was the country's first black head of state and the first elected in a fully representative democratic election. His government... read more

Nelson Mandela succeeded in making the transition from apartheid to democracy a peaceful one. In South Africa, he is highly respected by people of all colors. Outside South Africa, he is an inspiration for everyone who wants to make the world a better place.

Vladimir Lenin Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov (22 April 1870–21 January 1924), better known as Vladimir Lenin, was a Russian revolutionary, politician, and political theorist. He served as the first and founding head of government of Soviet Russia from 1917 to 1924 and of the Soviet Union from 1922 to 1924. Under his administration,... read more

He paved the path for Stalin, but he made life better for the people. He created the Soviet Union and showed the world the perceived evils of capitalism.

Barack Obama Barack Hussein Obama II (born August 4, 1961) is an American politician who served as the 44th president of the United States from 2009 to 2017. He was the first African-American president of the United States... read more

He looks absolutely wonderful in light of who followed him.

Cyrus II of Persia

Everyone knows he had the greatest and biggest empire ever. Of course, he is one of the best leaders of all time. He is one of three emperors who never lost any wars or battles in the world, along with Alexander the Great and Genghis Khan. The Cyrus Cylinder shows he was the first man to write about rule and justice in the world.

Genghis Khan Genghis Khan c. 1162 – August 18 1227, born Temüjin, was the founder and Great Khan of the Mongol Empire, which became the largest contiguous empire in history after his death.

Another one who slaughtered millions of civilians.

Malcolm X Malcolm X, born Malcolm Little and also known as el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz, was an American Muslim minister and human rights activist.

Malcolm X needs more attention for everything he did for the Civil Rights Movement.

Charlemagne
A. P. J. Abdul Kalam Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen "A. P. J." Abdul Kalam was the 11th President of India from 2002 to 2007. A career scientist turned politician, Kalam was born and raised in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, and studied physics and aerospace engineering.

A great leader who lived such a simple life. He was an epitome of devotion towards his motherland. He needs to be saluted.

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