Greatest Orator Ever?

Question

Although I agree with almost nothing he said I think Hitler is by and large the greatest orator of the 20th century if not all time, what do you think? Who do you think deserves this title?

I don't agree with him, but he sure managed to control people with his speaches.

Too many good answers

Answer 1

Pretty much any messianic figure would qualify. Only these types of speakers have been shown to instill such emotion in the audience.

On one side of the messianic coin you have Jesus and Muhammad. On the other you have figures like Hitler (it's sickening to have him in the same paragraph as the latter two, but he fits the bill).

There have been studies on messianic figures and their effect on a populace, and it has been shown that they have the most command over an audience. Interestingly, what is said by one of these figures is not as important as how it is said.

For example, I had to learn to read, speak, and understand German before I began to really research the Third Reich and Holocaust. Before this, I had watched and heard Hitler speak from audiovideo recordings. Even though, at the time, I did not speak German, the raw emotion behind his words were moving. This is the power messianic figures have when they speak. This is one of the reasons why "Triumph of the Will" was distributed internationally after it was made.

Answer 2

I believe Ronald Reagan had that bigot Hitler beat. Hitler brought Germany out of a depression by putting people to work on highways and military build up. That's what his major plus was. Roosevelt did similar things here and was just as popular in the US. Hitler also blamed the Jews for all or most of Germany's woes of the time. But for oration, I would say Reagan, Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce were among if not the best.

Answer 3

Matter of perspective.

Hitler was a great orator no doubt. He had a cause and a following and many enemies. You have some other great orators like Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton, also Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. also some great actors that might fit here.

Answer 4

I disagree. Stalin gets the title. He is relatively unknown in the United States, but he is from the same era, in the USSR. He was also an evil dictator, and he killed more people than Hitler. The difference is that Hitler had a reason. Stalin killed anyone he thought might be a threat, including personal friends. He had total control over his people because they were afraid he would come after them personally if they did not comply. Hitler mostly did mass roundups. He very rarely chose specific victims.

Answer 5

The top for me is Jesus Christ. No other person has ever caused more thought provoking ideas which were radical for his time. His wisdom endures today.

In modern history, I would choose Benjamin Franklin. He was a man way ahead of his time. He was an orator, writer, printer, inventor, scientist, revolutionary and I could go on and on. He laid the foundation for our current democracy. His inventions catapulted us into the industrial revolution.

In today's time, I would have to say Martin Luther King. He was eloquent and passionate as an orator. He wanted equal rights for ALL people. He was genuine in his beliefs and is a loved and admired person of our time.

Answer 6

The Reverend Billy Graham

Answer 7

In the twentieth century I would have to agree with you. He was a master of the dramatic, he carefully scripted his entrance, his surroundings and even the crowd reaction. He certainly took a large number of decent people and convinced them to perpetrate some evil acts.
In American History I would say it was Daniel Webster who was such a force in American Politics from 1815-1860 despite his love of brandy. William Jennings Bryan would be my second choice, his down home approach was very appealing to the common man.
Overall in world history I think you would have to include both Jesus Christ and the Prophet Muhammad because of their success in preaching to people and establishing long lasting instruments of social and political change.

Answer 8

Forrest Gump

Answer 9

Jesus Christ. Thousands flocked to Him to listen to hear Him speak.

St. Paul was also quite the orator. He helped spread the message of Christianity to the ends of the earth.

Or, have you seen how many millions have come to a Billy Graham crusade over the past 50 years?

Answer 10

I know you have had a lot of great answers, but I couldn't resist putting my two cents worth in. Just to name one. Winston Churchill. He held the English together and galvanized his countrymen to fight Hilt er. Hitler could have taken England If not for the firm resolve he instilled in his people.