Infamous leaders in history. Flavius Belisarius: Flavius, one of Byzantium’s greatest generals, defeated the Vandals and retook the African part of the Roman Empire. Related: Top 10 Forgotten War Criminals Sentenced To Death. From Ivan the Terrible to Genghis Khan, this work examines and ranks the 10 worst dictators in history. By the end of the summer of 1969, the Manson Family, led by now-infamous cult leader Charles Manson, had killed at least nine people (they were suspected of 35 murders total) and plunged the Hitler's Minister for Public Enlightenment and Propaganda, Joseph Goebbels, recognized the importance and intensity of Hitler's rhetoric in his analysis "The Führer as a Speaker. He was a brilliant and brutal military leader who united the Mongol tribes and led the largest contiguous empire in history. History's 9 Worst Leaders. Menu icon A vertical stack of three evenly spaced horizontal lines. A former English teacher, he now excels in academic writing and pursues his passion for art through drawing and painting in his free time. In reviewing the plethora of orators across tides of social, Traits such as charisma and confidence drove infamous leaders like Mussolini and Kim Jong-Il. A small Christian group that believes its leader is the reincarnation of Jesus almost certainly would. 3:525-556 September 2019. MEDIEVAL ERA. Read on to find out about some of the most notorious, infamous cults in history. Similar to many famous world Genghis Khan founded the Mongol Empire and ruled it from 1206 until 1227. 9 Infamous Assassins and the World Leaders They Dispatched. To identify some of the most ruthless, we reviewed historical sources and compiled a list of 34 of Benedict Arnold. ‘Lucky’ Luciano (1897 – 1962) By Greg Beyer BA History & Linguistics, Journalism Diploma Greg specializes in African History. In fact, a great deal of these stories or movies and TV shows are based on Jim Jones, the charismatic leader of Peoples Temple who would go down in history as leading the mass suicide of more than 900 Americans, was born in 1931 in rural Indiana. Quintus Servilius Caepio, for instance, demonstrated that even the Charles Manson, Jim Jones, and David Koresh are some of the world’s most infamous cult leaders. From scientists to presidents, famous people throughout history have told infamous lies. José Gaspar Rodríguez de Francia went down in history as the first dictator of Paraguay. He had six wives, two of whom he Heritage Images / Getty Images / Getty Images. In this attempt to reduce the voter population, they sickened 750 people. C. shattering a fragile peace between Rome and The leader of the Khmer Rouge and dictator of Cambodia from 1975 to 1979 was directly responsible for one of the severest genocides in modern history. Selection Criteria One of the most notorious female criminals in the US history, Ma Barker was the leader of the feared Barker Gang that consisted of her sons. Across eras of calamity and peace in our world’s history, a great many leaders, writers, politicians, theorists, scientists, activists and other revolutionaries have unveiled powerful rousing speeches in their bids for change. History is filled with extraordinary tales of heroes and villains that resemble fiction stories we like watching so much. The leader of Cambodia and the infamous Khmer Rouge, Pol Pot modeled his leadership activities after Zedong. Oppressive Leaders in the Twentieth Century: Adolf Hitler. " In this essay, Goebbels explains exactly what it was that made Hitler the best orator Germany had ever seen and how that propelled his cause to incredible ends. Hitler, Stalin, In conclusion, the communist thinkers, leaders, militants and visionaries above all left deep marks on history – for better or often worse. Sometimes the assassination of a leader is so shocking and profound that it triggers From Vlad the Impaler to Jack the Ripper, meet seven of history’s creepiest figures. Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon (604-562 B. American Revolutionary War general Benedict Arnold (1741 – 1801) is the United States’ most infamous traitor, and one whose name has become an epithet, synonymous with treason and betrayal. In the 1950s, he became a self-ordained Christian minister, and he started his own church, Peoples Temple, in 1955 in Indianapolis. He was eventually murdered in a barbershop, likely by members of the Genovese and Gambino families. A list of famous leaders who changed their country and the rest of the world, including Alexander the Great, (63 BC-AD 14) – First Emperor of Rome. To compile a list of 34 of the most ruthless China has been plagued with its fair share of questionable leaders throughout its long history, but Fu Sheng is the original and arguably ‘the worst’ tyrannical leader of one of the world’s most consistently powerful nations. She was the first and only female Prime Minister of India, serving four terms between 1966-1977 and 1980-1984. Some Roman leaders were so afraid of him, they paid protection money to fend off an These Are History’s Most Notorious Liars. Nicolae Ceaușescu (1918-1989) Nicolae Ceaușescu, the post-war communist dictator of Romania, held power for 24 years after being sworn in as general secretary in March 1965. These dictators manipulated political systems, exploited social tensions, and Discover the dark legacies of history's 24 most evil leaders. Throughout his four-decades-long reign (27 BCE –14 CE), Augustus laid the . Weaknesses in empathy and manipulation marked tyrannical rulers such as Saddam Hussein and Idi Amin. During the four years he held power in Cambodia, about 1 million people died due to Detail from the larger-than-life statue of Augustus of Prima Porta, early 1st century CE. These warriors, including Attila, were expert horsemen. Caesar (born Octavian) was one the most influential leaders in world history, (1491–1547) was England’s most famous and perhaps most notorious King. While communism in name often failed or morphed adaptively, its core identification with human equality ensured that radical leftist thought survived vibrantly into new generations even amid the fall of Soviet dominance. During his time in office, Polk increased the size of the United States more than any president other than Jefferson through the acquisition of California and New Mexico as a result of the Mexican-American War. He worked with grassroots activists and civil rights attorney groups to organize large-scale marches and employ nonviolent tactics to fight for justice and equality for people of color. Joan of Arc (1412-1431) was a French heroine and a saint to Roman Catholics. Though most are men, a few women also make the Many of history’s famous world leaders were great men and women who inspired and helped others. Publication Date: 2018. ) As the centuries endure, it's easy to see much of history resigned to the fate of Percy Bysshe Shelley 's Ozymandias: figures of antiquity fade from From scientists and politicians, to religious leaders and emperors, several infamous leaders’ show off their sheer drive, ambition and ambition — actions that can divide opinions and cause immense controversy. In other words, a small religious group that professes Christian beliefs that are in keeping with mainstream Christian beliefs wouldn’t be classified as a cult. Polk (March 4, 1845 to March 4, 1849) served one term as president. ”. He had been a leading patriot in the fight against the British, and was perhaps the most capable combat leader on the rebels’ side Abubakar Shekau, the leader of Boko Haram, is notorious for his relentless campaign of violence in Nigeria and neighboring countries. Initially seen as the most liberal of the Soviet Bloc leaders, his attitude shifted in the 1970s as he gradually became more and more authoritarian. Civil Rights Movement of the '50s and '60s. His drug cartel monopolized the cocaine trade into the United States and he became one of the wealthiest criminals ever in history. Due to his brutal policies against minorities, Ante Pavelic is considered as one of the cruelest Nazi leaders. It provides an analysis of each leader, followed by a discussion of their policies, specific traits, and general history. Portrait from late 1800s. James K. The murder of a president, prime minister, king, or other world leader can resonate throughout a country. Bhutto’s leadership and tragic assassination highlighted the challenges faced by female leaders in volatile political landscapes, making her a symbol of perseverance and hope for democratic governance. This correction did not move Trump to Martin Luther King Jr. In his quest to turn Cambodia’s economy into an agrarian one, he restricted progressive thought, religion, and any activity he One of the most famous barbarian leaders, the Goth King Alaric I rose to power after the death of the Eastern Roman Emperor Theodosius II in 395 A. 5. Only a fool would fail to take advantage of this vast generational knowledge, the collected wisdom of history. The 10 Most Cruel Leaders in All of History One of the most notorious rulers of the Ming Dynasty, the Zhengde Emperor was renowned for both his foolishness and his cruelty. Learn about 10 of the most ruthless and cruel rulers of all Only a fool would fail to learn from the heroic historical figures, the infamous demagogues and despots and other famous people from the pages of the past. 207. 4. From Europe to Asia, the 20th century witnessed the rise of ruthless leaders who unleashed terror and despair upon millions, many of which were their own people. Jim Jones was one of the most notorious cult leaders in US history, and he was clearly narcissistic. He founded many cities and exported Greek language, culture, and thought across It was only after the notorious Castellammarese War, a bloody struggle for power amongst the Italian-American crime factions, that he was appointed leader of the modern Gambino crime family. His radical policies led to genocide, forced labor camps, and widespread famine in Cambodia during the late 1970s. While it’s difficult to know for sure how many people Stalin killed , historians estimate that the Soviet dictator’s policies led to the deaths of between six and 20 million people, if (Soviet Political Leader & Dictator Who Led the Soviet Union from 1922 Until His Death in 1953) 373. Martin Luther King Jr. Organized crime has always been a dark part of human society, with gangs led by infamous mob bosses emerging as one of modern history's most notorious and feared criminal organizations. Call Number: 943. Take Joseph Stalin. #10: Saddam Hussein Iraq (1979–2003) Within a week of taking power, Iraqi president Saddam Hussein arrested and massacred Other infamous leaders have much lower — but still horrific — death counts. The Unspeakable Things That Happened In The Armenian Genocide Top 10 Most Infamous Stranglers in History; Throughout history, tyrannical leaders have unfortunately been more common than benevolent ones. was a distinguished leader in the U. 3. But that’s not always the case. . Due to his cruelty, no less than 80,000 Jews and 30,000 Gypsies lost their lives. When it comes to shaping the course of human history, the greatest leaders in history have left indelible marks that continue to influence the world today. He was also considered a brilliant military leader. Benedict Arnold. From charismatic leaders to disturbing allegations, the true story of some of history's most infamous cults and religious groups. Being a Nazi, Pavelic was Top 10 Most Evil World Leaders of All Time Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down the most brutal, horrific, and despicable world leaders in history. As Harvard philosophy professor George Santayana reminds us, ‘to fail to know history is to doom yourself Her tenure focused on modernizing Pakistan and promoting economic reform, education, and women’s rights. He also settled the nation's dispute with Great Britain Charles Manson. Grant, whose reputation (particularly as U. Any list of famous world leaders includes some controversial and even infamous figures. Ante Pavelic was the chief of the Ustase party which had power in Croatia. 16. Lord Buddha (circa 563 BCE – 483 BCE) Spiritual teacher and founder of Buddhism. ) The granddaddy of all mad kings is King Nebuchadnezzar, the Babylonian ruler whose first-person account of a seven-year Here's how 13 of the world's most notorious modern leaders kicked the bucket. Explore their ruthless actions and devastating impacts in this chilling list of infamous tyrants and dictators. Here's how 13 of the world's most notorious modern leaders kicked the bucket. There is an almost endless number of kings, dictators, and even democratically elected heads of state leading their nations 3. 1. Harriet Tubman (1822-1913) Lakshmibai, the Ranee of Jhansi in cavalry uniform. Dubbed "The King of Cocaine", he left behind a controversial legacy upon his death at the age of 44. Although he had initially studied theology, From Vlad the Impaler to Genghis Khan, the annals of history are filled with leaders who used fear and violence to achieve their goals. Due to their charisma and ability to convince others, cult leaders have become some of the more famous, or infamous, characters in history. Emperor Caligula’s bizarre declaration of war on the sea remains a notorious example of folly. From Al Capone to John Gotti, these The Huns were nomadic Eurasians, whose fighters were known to make blood-curdling screams and other noises while attacking their victims on horseback. Over the years, mobs have, amassed incredible wealth, controlled entire cities, and enforced their power through ruthless means. Khalid ibn al-Walid: A Muslim commander for Muhammad and his successors, Khalid was undefeated in over 100 battles against various tribes, the Byzantines A notorious Colombian drug lord, Pablo Escobar was the founder and leader of the infamous Medellín Cartel. Cite verifiedCite While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may ”In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of History has produced so many despots and dictators over the centuries that countries that have never been ruled by one seem to be the exception. Source: Musei Vaticani, Rome Julius Caesar was the first Roman leader to (briefly) hold near-absolute power, but it was his adopted son, Octavian, who became the first Roman emperor, Augustus. A towering world leader, she led India through While not all numbers are 100% verifiable, these leaders are history’s most lethal. Business Insider put together a list of the most ruthless leaders of all time featuring men and women who employed merciless tactics to achieve their political and military agendas. Once the FBI’s Public Enemy Number One, Barker orchestrated a bunch of robberies, murders, and kidnappings throughout the American Midwest during the early 1930’s. Described by many as one of the greatest military leaders in history, Napoleon Bonaparte rose to prominence in the wake of the French Revolution, becoming commander of the French army in Italy in 1796. Notorious Narcissistic Leaders in History Around the same time, Sheela and other leaders of the commune orchestrated the first bioterrorist attack in U. She claimed to have mystical visions Incompetent leaders are unqualified, bumbling, and incapable of fulfilling their duties, and history is replete with such figures. This world dictators list has everyone Incompetent leaders are unqualified, bumbling, and incapable of fulfilling their duties, and history is replete with such figures. 12. . 10 Ismail Enver Pasha–2. In 1985, Sheela and other leaders fled the commune, and Rajneesh was deported for immigration And even Ulysses S. Table of Contents. Dealing with narcissistic leadership requires establishing boundaries, promoting teamwork, and seeking support. His nickname came from the fact that he Pol Pot, the infamous leader of the Khmer Rouge, orchestrated one of the darkest chapters in history. Journal of Modern History 91, no. This list spans thousands of years, from ancient tyrants like Phalaris of Acragas to modern dictators like Hitler and Stalin. President) was maligned over the 20th century by lost cause revisionism, is now seeing a historical reevaluation via new Mikhail Gorbachev (1931 – 2022) Leader of Soviet Union 1985 – 1991, oversaw the transition from Communism to democracy in Eastern Europe. From Richard Nixon's resignation to Andrew Johnson's impeachment, Dr Adam IP Smith explores the scandals and corruption surrounding five of America’s most notorious According to Baker and Glasser, Kelly explained to Trump that German generals “tried to kill Hitler three times and almost pulled it off. Under his command, Boko Haram has committed mass kidnappings, including the abduction of 276 schoolgirls in Chibok, widespread bombings, and countless killings. Throughout history, famous introverted leaders have fooled us all, becoming some of the most prosperous and influential men and women of their times. He used each and every opportunity to increase his personal wealth. Nelson Mandela was a prominent civil rights leader who fought segregation and racial apartheid systems in South Africa. Nelson Mandela. 086 C573s. September 2021. He worked with grassroots activists and civil rights attorney groups to organize large Dictators, including Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, Napoleon and Kim Jong-un, reveal what happens when one person is given unchecked power. Alexander the Great (356 - 323 B. Library of Congress. He attracted over 900 followers whom he convinced to follow him to a commune he called Jonestown — named after himself — in Guyana in the 1970s. They amassed fanatical followers and left death in their wakes. Meet five 20th-century cult leaders whose influence led to deadly consequences around the globe. He then captured Rome, Naples and Milan (536). Birthdate: December 18, 1878. Quintus Servilius Caepio, for instance, demonstrated that even the formidable Roman army had its blunderers. Benito Mussolini, Italy (1883-1945) Benito Mussolini addresses a crowd in Rome during his rule. D. 85 Million. One of the most infamous ringleaders in history, Charles Manson used psychopathic manipulation to gain his cult followers in the 1960s. He holds a BA in History & Linguistics and a Journalism Diploma from the University of Cape Town. Human history is not in short supply of terrible and wicked leaders. Biography. S. ‘The One-Eyed Tyrant’, as he was lovingly called, he was an emperor who ruled the Former Qin Kingdom. Shoko Ashara: Cult Leader of Aum Shinrikyo. Already an acclaimed warrior before succeeding to the throne of Macedonia in 336 BCE, Alexander carved out both a massive empire, which reached from Greece into India, and a reputation as one of history’s greatest generals. In his conquest of 1. From visionaries who fostered growth and peace to conquerors who expanded empires, these leaders have demonstrated profound impact through their actions and legacies. Cults are led by charismatic leaders whose personalities draw people to them. Maybe they were uncomfortable and just counting down the minutes until they could go home, but these are some of the most ground-breaking, famous historical introverts to have ever lived. Infamous dictators of the world are often thought of as tyrants - leaders who rule with iron fists, cruelty, unflinching authority, and a lack of opposition. Home; Adolf Hitler; Joseph Stalin; Hitler's Infamous Legions of Death by Al Cimino. The Life of Shoko Ashara and Aum Shinrikyo; The daughter of militia leader Colonel Henry Ludington, Sybil leaped into action on that fateful day in 1777 when a rider came to the Ludington house in Dutchess County, New York to warn them Indira Gandhi’s achievements in power made her a historical figure. history by poisoning restaurant food in the large town of Dalles.