Greatest Military Leaders in History

With every great war in history, there has been a great leader at the helm. A commander on the field of battle. Kings, Emperors, Conquerors, and Generals that have demonstrated the success and willingness to lead an army of men. These ten military commanders have demonstrated the finest achievements in military tactics and strategics, and have a resume of victory that cannot go undisputed. Each of these leaders capture some of history's most epic wars, and demonstrate their glorious legacy as a leader.

Top 10 Greatest Military Leaders

10. Robert E. Lee
Nation: USA
Wars as Leader:

• Mexican-American War (1846-1848)
• Civil War (1861-1865)

Victories:

• Battle of Fredericksburg
• Battle of Chancellorsville
• Battle of the Wilderness
• Battle of the Cold Harbor
• Seven Days Battles
• Second Battle of Bull Run

Legacy: At the break of Civil War, he was against the idea of secession, however had to decline President Lincoln's offer to lead the Union army. He instead kept faithful to his home state of Virginia, and lead the Confederate armies to many victories. Although he fought and loss on the side of the enemy, one cannot deny Robert E. Lee's monumental leadership throughout the war.



9. Simon Bolivar
Nation: Venezuela
Military Campaigns:

• Latin American wars of Independence (1808-1829)

Achievements:

• Venezuelan War of Independence (1811-1823)
• Ecuadorian War of Independence (1820-1822)
• Peruvian War of Independence (1809-1824)
• Bolivian War of Independence (1809-1825)

Legacy: He is known as "el Libertador", the hero and founding father of several Latin American nations. He won many military victories against the Spanish and helped establish political countries such as Venezuela, Bolivia, Columbia, Peru, Ecuador, and Panama.




8. Oliver Cromwell
Nation: Great Britain
Wars as Leader:

• The English Civil War (1642-1651)

Achievements:

• Established the New Model Army
• Established the Royal Navy
• Victory at Marston Moor and Naseby
• Ruled England's 1st and only Republic, until his death in 1658.

Legacy: Through his military and political leadership, he successfully overthrew the English monarchy and established a republican Commonwealth. He was considered the leader of the people, and for that reason is regarded today as the Lord Protector of the United Kingdom.




7. Gen. Douglas MacArthur
Nation: USA
Wars as Leader:

• Mexican Revolution (1910-1920)
• World War I (1914-1917)
• World War II (1939-1945)
• Korean War (1950-1953)

Victories:

• US Occupation of Veracruz (1914)
• Meuse-Argonne Offensive (1918)
• New Guinea Campaign (1942-1945)
• Philippines Campaign (1944-1945)
• Occupation of Japan (1945-1952)
• Battle of Inchon (1950)

Legacy: He graduated top of his class at West Point Military Academy in 1903. During his service in WWI, he served as a colonel in the western front, and eventually was promoted to a brigadier general. He was recalled to duty, at the start of WWII, and took charge of the Pacific Campaign. He successfully led the US forces through the Philippines and into Japan, and occupied the territory for several years afterwards. He won the Medal of Honor for his victories in the Philippines, and ruled Japan for nearly 6 years, overseeing new political, economic, and social reforms. He answered his country's call to service, one more time for the Korean War, until he was finally dismissed. His long and victorious resume truly highlights his legacy as a military genius.



6. Julius Caesar
Nation: Rome
Military Campaigns:

• Galic Wars (58-51 BC)
• Caesar's Civil War (49-45 BC)

Victories:

• Battle of the Sabis (57 BC)
• Battle of Alesia (52 BC)
• Battle of Ilerda (49 BC)
• Battle of Pharsalus (48 BC)
• Battle of Thapsus (46 BC)
• Battle of Munda (45 BC)

Legacy: As general of the Roman Republic, he led the first invasion of the northern British, Germanic, and Gallic Tribes. This campaign became known as the Gallic Wars, of which he proved his military valor. After his victory at the Gallic Wars, he began a political standoff against Pompey, and waged a civil war against the Republic. He once again used his masterful knowledge of war tactics to successfully defeat Pompey, win the Roman Republic, and established himself as leader of what would soon become the mighty Roman Empire.




5. Genghis Khan
Nation: Mongolia
Military Campaigns:

• Mongol-Jin War (1211-1234)
• Invasion of Kara-Khitan Khanate (1218)
• Invasion of Khwarezmian Empire (1219-1221)
• Invasion of Georgia (1220-1243)
• Invasion of Volga Bulgaria (1223-1236)
• Invasion of China (1209-1276)

Achievements:

• United many nomadic tribes in northeast Asia, and founded the Mongol Empire
• Led a series of military invasions throughout central Asia and China, and conquered most of Eurasia
• Established one the largest empires in history and ruled as emperor from 1206-1227.

Legacy: He is considered one of the greatest conquerors in history, and established one of the most vast empires in history. His legacy is best known as a military commander, however also initiated new political and social reforms, such as a writing system and religious tolerance. He is to this day regarded as the founding father of Mongolia.




4. Cyrus the Great
Nation: Persia
Military Campaign:

• Persian Revolt (552-550BC)
• Battle of Hybra (551 BC)
• Battle of the Persian Border (551 BC)
• Battle of Pteria (547 BC)
• Battle of Thymbra (547 BC)
• Battle of Opis (539 BC)

Achievements:

• Conquered most of Southwest Asia, Central Asia, and parts of Europe
• Respected customs and religions of the people he conquered
• Established the Persian Empire, and ruled as emperor for 30 years
• Transformed the city of Babylon into the capital city of the Persian Empire as well as a center of learning

Legacy: Through his military conquest he conquered most of Southwest Asia and Central Asia, and created the Persian Empire, the largest empire of it's time. He is best remembered for his achievements in human rights, politics, and military strategy. To this day he is regarded as the historical hero of the Arabian World.




3. Hannibal
Nation: Carthage
Military Campaign:

• Roman-Syrian War (192-188 BC)
• Second Punic War (218-202 BC)

Victories:

• Battle of Trebia (218 BC)
• Battle of Lake Trasimene (217 BC)
• Battle of Cannae (216 BC)
• Battle of the Silarus (212 BC)
• Battle of Herdonia (212 BC)

Legacy: Considered by many historians as one of the greatest military tacticians of all time. He was the son of a Carthaginian general, named Hamilcar Barca, who led the Carthaginians against the Romans during the First Punic War (264-241 BC). However Hannibal surpassed his father's legacy as a military commander, by achieving many conquests and victories throughout the early stages of the Second Punic War. His most glorious achievement was crossing the alps with a band of war elephants. He was eventually defeated by the great Roman General, Scipio Africanus, who studied Hannibal's strategy before finally defeating him at the Battle of Zama.



2. Napoleon
Nation: France
Military Campaign

• French Revolutionary Wars (1792-1802)
• Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815)

Achievements:

• Successful military leader of the French Revolution
• Established himself as Emperor of the French (1804-1815)
• Brought legal and civil reform known as the Napoleonic Code
• Led a series of coalitions through Europe, known as the Napoleonic Wars
• Won many victories throughout Europe, until he was finally defeated in Russia, and later by the British at the Battle of Waterloo.

Legacy: He established a whole new style of warfare, introduced the Metric System to Europe, established a civil law system known as the Napoleonic Code, and became one of the most powerful rulers at his time. His legacy can be depicted in many ways, however one cannot deny his incredible achievements as a military commander.





1. Alexander the Great
Nation: Macedonia
Military Campaign:

• Balkan Campaign (335 BC)
• Battle of the Granicus River (334 BC)
• Battle of Issus (333 BC)
• Siege of Tyre (332 BC)
• Battle of Gaugamela (331 BC)
• Battle of the Persian Gate (330 BC)
• Battle of Hydaspes (326 BC)

Achievements:

• Conquered Persia
• Conquered the eastern region of India
• By the age of 30, he had created one of the largest empires in ancient history

Legacy: Without question one of the greatest military commanders of all time, undefeated in his conquest. He conquered most of the world known to the ancient Greeks, from the Greek city-states, through the Persian Empire, into Egypt, and as far as India. He brought new culture, education, and government to his conquered lands, and his Macedonian Empire became one of the largest empires of it's time. He was truly a King of Kings.

Greatest Political Leaders in History

To be a political leader, means to lead a nation of people, by means of a government and the practice of an ideology. Throughout history we have seen many forms of government such as imperialism, monarchies, dictatorships, and democracies. And we have seen many forms of ideologies such as communism, fascism, and capitalism. The success of these nations have always been determined by their leader, who demonstrates a broad vision, and becomes the example for the nation. Throughout time there have been many noteworthy word leaders, who have led their people to security and prosperity, yet none quite as great as these 10. Throughout history these men have demonstrated the greatest scale of political victory, social reform, economic reform, and military victory in a time where the people truly needed a leader.

Let me please stress, that I do not wish to glorify any particular leader in this list, as much as recognize the scale of their political and military achievement. There is no question that some of these leaders were flat out evil tyrants. However the scale of their political vision and overall leadership cannot be denied. So without any political bias, here comes my top 10 greatest leaders in History.

Top 10 Greatest Political Leaders

10. Winston Churchill

Nation: United Kingdom
Years as Leader: (1940-1945, 1951-1955)
Political Views: Conservative
Achievements:

• During the 1930s he began warning and campaigning against Hitler's threat
• As Prime Minister he lead Great Britain during WW2 against the Nazi German conquest
• Endured the Nazi aerial bombardment at the Battle of Britain
• Teamed up with the Allied Forces to defeat Germany

Legacy: Best known for his unyielding perseverance in a time of such fear and destruction. During WW2, he managed both the defenses and the offensives of his people, against the German war machine. The British were able to repel the Nazi bombardment, and eventually defeat the Germans. His unbreakable devotion to his country, has thus made him one of Britain's greatest leaders, a true English legend.




9. Fidel Castro

Nation: Cuba
Years as Leader: (1965-2008)
Political Views: Communism, Marxism
Achievements:

• Leader of the Cuban Revolution in 1959
• Overthrew the dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista, and created a one-party socialist republic
• Ever since Fidel came to power he has endured many political threats such as the Cuban Missile Crisis, Bay of Pigs Invasion, and many assassination attempts

Legacy: An incredible story of political ambition and revolution. A guerrilla force sets sail from Mexico, and lands on Cuba to begin a resistance in the mountains. With the help of his commanders, Raul Castro and Erenesto Che Guevara, Fidel Castro successfully overthrew the government, and established a new government, with himself as leader. After nearly 50 years, the socialist state of Cuba still stands today. Although it still receives heavy criticism, one cannot deny the success of Castro's enduring vision.


8. Franklin D. Roosevelt

Nation: USA
Years as Leader: (1933-1945)
Political Views: Democratic Liberalism
Achievements:

• Led the US during it's worse economic crisis, The Great Depression
• Created the New Deal program to save the American economy
• Declared war on Japan and Nazi Germany in 1939, following the bombing of Pearl Harbor

Legacy: He successfully led the United States of America through two of its worst crises; the Great Depression and WW2. His expansion of government, through the New Deal, created a new concept of liberalism, and was essential to rescuing the American economy from total collapse.


7. Peter the Great

Nation: Russia
Years as Leader: (1682-1696)
Political Views: Imperialism
Achievements:

• Implemented political reforms and modernized the Tsardom of Russia
• Created the capital city of St. Petersburg
• Led his country to victory in the Great Northern War (1700-1721) against the Swedish Empire
• Turned Russia into one of the most powerful empires in Europe

Legacy: He was considered an adventurer, an intellect, and had amassed a great experience from his early travels to the western world. As ruler of Russia he put forth many political and social reforms, through a system of modernization. He successfully transformed the Russian Tsardom, into the Russian Empire, one of greatest powers in Europe.


6. Abraham Lincoln

Nation: USA
Years as Leader: (1861-1865)
Political Views: Moderate Republican
Achievements:

• Led the country during the American Civil War, and managed to successfully preserve the union
• Brought an end to slavery with the Emancipation Proclamation

Legacy: Led the United States of America through it's darkest hour of inner struggle. He successfully kept the nation together, against the Confederate threat of the Civil War. He also brought an end to slavery, with his Emancipation Proclamation.


5. Adolf Hitler

Nation: Germany
Years as Leader: (1932-1945)
Political Views: Fascism, Nazism
Achievements:

• Became chancellor of Germany in 1933, and transformed the Wiemar Republic into a single-party dictatorship
• Created the ideology of Nazism
• One of the greatest economic and military expansions
• Created an alliance with Japan and Italy
• Led a military conquest of Europe, to achieve more living space for the German Aryan People.
• Successfully invaded Poland, Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Norway, France, and several other European countries. Was eventually defeated by the Allied Forces

Legacy: He is perhaps the most evil leader to have ever lived. His war and Holocaust was one of the deadliest human conflicts in history, and caused the death of over 70 million people. And yet he managed to achieve such immense political and economic greatness before his downfall.



4. Vladimir Lenin

Nation: Russia
Years as Leader: (1917-1924)
Political Views: Marxism, Leninism
Achievements:

• Leader of the Bolsheviks October Revolution
• Founder of the USSR, and the ideology of Leninism
• Led the Red Army to Victory in the Russian Civil War

Legacy: He was the founding father of the Soviet Union, a single-party system that eventually became a world power for many years, until it's final downfall in 1990. With the help of Leon Trotsky, his fellow Bolshevik Revolutionary, Lenin was able to reshape the Russian government. He repelled the resistance for three years during the Russian Civil War. He made major contributions to political philosophy, with his creation of Leninism.


3. Mao Zedong


Nation: China
Years as Leader: (1943-1976)
Political Views: Communism, Maoism
Achievements:

• Leader of the Chinese Revolution
• Founding father of the People's Republic of China
• Repelled Japanese Invasion during WW2
• Transformed China's economy into a major industrialized world power
• Created the Ideology of Maoism

Legacy: The founding father of the People's Republic of China. He led a successful military and political revolution, through his ideology of Maoism. He transformed the country of China, into a major industrialized world power. His vision endures, and the Republic of China is expected to soon surpass the United States as the number one most powerful economy in the world.


2. Julius Caesar

Nation: Rome
Years as Leader: (49BC-44BC)
Political Views: Imperialism
Achievements:

• Led a victorious military campaign against the Gallic tribes, expanding the territory of the Roman Republic
• Led a civil war against Pompey, where he emerged as the supreme leader of the Roman world
• Reformed the Roman government into an imperial dictatorship, that would eventually become the mighty Roman Empire.

Legacy: He is considered one of the greatest military leaders of all time, with numerous victories. He also laid the political foundation for one of the greatest empires known in history, thus making him a double-threat both as a general and as a political leader.


1. George Washington

Nation: USA
Years as Leader: (1789-1797)
Political Views: Against Political parties
Achievements:

• Leader of the American Revolution
• 1st President of the United States of America
• Built a strong national government, and remained neutral on global affairs

Legacy: He was the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, and successfully defeated the British during the American Revolutionary War. Following this victory he created and led a new form of federal government. He is the founding father of the United States of America, the world's number one super power. His vision has endured to this day, and for this reason he should go down in history as the greatest political leader of all time.

Indy Mini 2011

A Family Tradition

Ran 13.1 miles yesterday, at the Indianapolis Half Marathon. This was my 6th time running this particular race. It still remains one of my favorite road-races! It has become a springtime tradition for my friends and family, dating back to our first experience in 2005. My dad, uncle Carl, aunt Lori, Philip, Shawnna, Jennifer, Marc, Jackie, and now many friends have all taken a part in this race. It has became an annual affair, always the first weekend of May, and has taken on a series of traditions; such as registering for the race during Thanksgiving, training during early spring, picking up the packets downtown, having a spaghetti dinner at Carl's Friday night, waking up early to drive and find parking, running the race, meeting behind the bleachers afterward, sharing race stories with another, and then a good party in the evening. It's quite an achievement, and has become a very fun event with family and friends.

The Race

Yesterday my final time was a 1:48:30. This is about one minute slower than last years time. In all honesty, I ran a bad race and felt terrible half-way through. I started in Coral C, with Palmer and Philip, and perhaps took off way too fast. My first 6 miles were sub-8. Once I entered the stadium, I began to realize that I was in for some pain. Perhaps it was the muggy weather, or lack of training. I began to struggle after mile 6, feeling quite heavy and dehydrated. I had to stop at every drinking area, and walked several times. However surprisingly, I still managed to hit my goal, of running sub 1:50. Turns out many other runners, Philip, Dad, Palmer, Katie, and so forth also experienced the same feeling of dehydration during the race.

Here are my splits from yesterday. They get slower and slower... However at least they never go over 9 minutes.

Mile 1: 8.21
Mile 2: 7.46
Mile 3: 7.53
Mile 4: 7.42
Mile 5: 7.47
Mile 6: 7.54
Mile 7: 8.13
Mile 8: 8.18
Mile 9: 8.31
Mile 10: 8.45
Mile 11: 8.46
Mile 12: 8.55
Mile 13: 8.47

I have decided to run the Fort 4 Fitness in September, to try and improve on this time, and perhaps hit my PR of 1:41. Next Race coming up is with Palmer, on May 21st, a 10K in Fort Wayne, known as the Frontier Run'n Fun. It will be my first 10K race ever, so should be quite interesting. I'm going to take a few days off to rest, yet hope to be back running no later than Wednesday.

Movie Masterpiece: There Will be Blood

Upon watching this film a 2nd time, I have decided that There Will be Blood, is without question a movie masterpiece. Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, and starring Daniel Day Lewis, it was nominated for 8 Academy Awards in 2008. Daniel Day Lewis won the Oscar for his performance as Daniel Plainview, a ruthless oil tycoon set in the old west. I recently purchased this film at the store for 5 bucks, and am very happy that it is now a part of my collection.

Never have I seen a film, that captures the concept of oil so vividly, as this film does. Set in 1902 in the western deserts of California, Daniel Plainview begins his greedy quest for wealth. The opening of this film is genius, completely silent, depicting Plainview's determined ambition to mine for oil. He breaks his leg in a terrible fall, however eventually finds oil and starts his own business. However a bit later, one of his workers dies, and Plainview adopts the worker's son. He names the boy HW, and makes him his business partner.

The story then fast-forwards several years later, where Daniel has established himself as a respected oil-man, and his son HW has grown in age. The two arrive to a small town in California to make a pitch to drill for oil. This is the first time in the film, we finally hear Plainview speak, as a determined man who speaks quite plainly. He is later approached by a young man named Paul, who tells him about an oil deposit underneath his family's property. Plainview travels to the ranch to investigate the land, and offers the Sunday family, a handsome sum to buy the property. However Paul's twin brother, Eli, is a determined young pastor, who requests more money in order to fund his church. Plainview agrees and begins his project in the town of Little Boston, California.

The story is constantly driven by Daniel Plainview's blind ambition. He has a strong relationship with his son, HW, however one evening, a major explosion, causes his boy to go deaf. This eventually complicates their relationship. Another challenge to Plainview's oil prospects, is the town's young and ambitious pastor, Eli, played by Paul Dano. Eli is a constant nuisance to Plainview, always challenging his character. A third complication comes to Plainview, when his so-called lost brother arrives, to reunite with the rich business man. Plainview is hesitant and doubtful at first, yet eventually accepts him as his brother. Unable to communicate with his boy, he sends HW away to a special school in San Fransisco. He later finds out that his so-called brother, is nothing more than an impostor, trying to grab a piece of Plainview's wealth. Plainview kills the man, and buries the body. This causes Plainview much guilt, and finally he breaks down and admits his shame, within Eli's church. This is a very powerful scene of total humiliation, and incredible acting from Daniel Day Lewis.

The story finally fast-forwards to 1927, where Plainview is filthy rich, and is once again reunited with his grown-up son. HW now communicates through sign language, and has found love, with the daughter of the Sunday family. In a translated conversation, he tells his father, that he is moving with his wife to Mexico to start up his own oil business. Plainview is angered by this, and tells HW that he is an orphan and not his son.

In the final climatic scene of the film, Plainview is reunited with the pastor Eli, who comes to Plainview to beg for finances. Plainview is disgusted by Eli's hypocircy, and has him admit that he is a "false prophet". Once Eli completely humiliates himself and admits that he is a false prophet, Plainview informs him, that there is no business to be done, due to the fact that he has already drained out the oil from that property. Plainview then goes on a mad rage, about drainage, "I drink your milkshake!" he yells. He then chases Eli around the room, and eventually kills him with a bowling pin.

The story in this film is incredible, character-driven, and very multi-layered. It is centered around Daniel Plainview's character, who sees no good in people, and has a ruthless ambition for oil and wealth. The setting is incredible, the old west, and the drive of American capitalism. The soundtrack is also quite unique, capturing the intense drama of each scene. Finally the filming and cinematography, are masterful, with near perfect movement. The best moment in the film comes when the oil drill explodes, and the chaos that follows it. It is a sudden dramatic roller-coaster of powerful sound, music, acting, motion, and immense visualization! A true work of art!

Current Foreign Affairs: Osama Bin Laden killed in Covert Operation

~Ding Dong, Bin Laden's Dead.~

I woke up early this morning, and just felt like singing this Wizard of Oz song to everybody. I actually found out the breaking news late last night, before I went to bed, perhaps around 11 or so. Of course I stayed up for a good hour, watching Obama address the nation to confirm the report. The operation was a covert CIA mission in Pakistan where they found and shot Bin Laden who was hiding in a compound within the city of Abbottabad. So after 10 years of searching and hunting, Osama bin Laden is finally dead. He was the infamous leader of the Al Qaeda, best known for planning the terrible 9/11 terrorist attacks on our country. This is a historical and victorious day for America!

I myself, can't help but see the politics in this, and must take this opportunity to give incredible praise to President Obama. He's simply on fire right now! Just a few nights ago, he came out swinging at the annual Correspondents dinner. He roasted many of his critics, and birthers, especially Donald Trump. This was definitely in good taste, having been the victim of an unfair conspiracy claiming that he was not born in the USA. President Obama thus demonstrated his long-form birth certificate, so that the doubters, such as Donald Trump, could be silenced. At the Correspondents dinner Obama, as well as Seth Meyers, gave the finishing blow to the Birther debate, with many good jokes about Donald's lack of experience, his business-minded approach, his reality television, and of course his hair; "Donald Trump often appears on Fox, and a fox often appears on Donald Trump's head." Very funny stuff!

The death of Osama Bin Laden, marks a major victory in the war against terrorism. This was President Obama's initial focus, when considering the war in Afghanistan and Iraq. In his speech last night, the president informed the world how he had received intelligence last year in August, of a possible location on Bin Laden, and had been planning this operation for several months. Yesterday he gave the order to have him executed. President Obama put his presidency at risk, by allowing a covert operation to take place in the city of Pakistan. The operation was a success, without any American or civilian causalities! This marks another major achievement for Obama's presidency, and I could see no reason as of now, how he could possibly lose the re-election in 2012.