Who was the most influential political figure of the past century in your opinion ?

Question

G- Thats a great observation

Answer 1

Franklin Roosevelt. Had the most impact on the morale of the American people while overseeing the country for 8 years coming out of the Depression. He put people back to work in government jobs to give them back their dignity and spurred on the economy. He straightened out the stock market and banking system after the debacle of 1929. He managed a war for 4 years, assisting Great Britain who was at the brink of being invaded, and devoted American resources to defeating Hitler, Mussolini and Hirohito. He inspired the American people to work towards ending the war, despite the fact that they had just gotten out of WWI in 1918 and people were deadset against getting back into one.

Oh, and by the way, he overcame great physical disability (legs were paralyzed from polio) and pain while doing so.

Answer 2

Congratualtions on asking the most interesting question in quite some time.

Without question, Josef Stalin. Even though Hitler had a foray in the spotlight, it was only brief compared to Stalin, who controlled the U.S.S.R. for over 30 years. Stalin's historical footprint is much deeper and wider than Hitler's. He transformed Russia from a backward, culturally insular nation into a backward, culturally insular, industrialized super-power.

As a result of Stalin's efforts, about half the world lived under the yoke of Communism. His purges, gulags and forced starvations are responsible for the deaths of millions and millions.

Mao is a competing figure. He was about as morally rotten as Stalin and he controlled a nation with a higher population.

It is tempting to nominate a tie between Adam Smith and Karl Marx, neither of whom lived in the 20th century, but their ideas dominated the political climate.

Answer 3

FDR,absolutely.He brought this country out of the Great Depression,won two wars simultaneously,and laid the groundwork for our rise to superpower status.

BTW,when the Republicans here harp about Democrats being unwilling to fight,one should remind them that it was the Republicans who opposed our involvement in both World Wars,which were the most justifiable and necessary military actions we have taken in modern times.

Answer 4

Excellent question. In my opinion FDR.

Hitler, Stalin and other dictators are mentioned, and certainy they had an impact. However, their policies and political philosophies have failed and will predictably have less and less impact as time goes on.

FDR, on the other hand, instituted social reforms that helped America out of a crippling depression. Those policies continue to this day as a force for the betterment of Americans in particular.

Answer 5

Mahatma Gandhi

Answer 6

Abraham Lincoln was the most influential political figure because he has greatly affected the people to choose freedom for everybody.

Answer 7

George Bush for letting evil FLY!

Answer 8

Hitler. Hands down. He influenced the entire world.

Answer 9

ronald reagan. Pioneer of the mega military that we use today.

Answer 10

that archduke guy that got shot that started WWI... which lead directly to WWII... which led directly to everything else...

he didn't really do anything but die... but it definitely had an effect.