The Most Powerful People Who Ruled The World

Throughout history, there have been many powerful rulers who have shaped and changed the course of the world. From Alexander the Great to Queen Victoria, Adolf Hitler to Genghis Khan, Akbar the Great to Napoleon Bonaparte, and Joseph Stalin, these remarkable figures had an immense impact on their respective eras and on history as a whole.

In this article, we'll explore the lives and legacies of these remarkable people who ruled the world. From how they rose to power, to their strategies and accomplishments, their beliefs, and how they were remembered by their subjects, you will gain an insight into what made them so influential.

You'll learn why Alexander the Great conquered much of the world, and how Queen Victoria was the longest reigning British monarch of all time. We'll explore how Adolf Hitler enabled the Nazi party to a dominant force in World War II, and why Genghis Khan remains so revered in Mongolia today. And we'll discover what made Akbar the Great such a great leader and the significance of Napoleon Bonaparte's conquests, as well as the lasting legacy of Joseph Stalin.

By the end of this article, you'll have a greater understanding of the powerful people who ruled the world and the lasting impact they had.

Alexander the Great

Alexander the Great, born in 356 BCE, remains one of the most powerful rulers in world history and a key figure in Ancient Greek history. A son of Philip II of Macedon, Alexander ascended to the throne after his father's murder and immediately began to expand the Macedonian Empire. Alexander's military campaigns were long, brutal, and victorious, and his forces conquered much of the known world. His conquests extended from Greece and the Balkans all the way to India, making him ruler of one of the most vast and powerful empires of the ancient world.

Alexander's ambition and thirst for domination made him a masterful military commander. Under his leadership, the Macedonian army was able to successfully implement strategies of large-scale, long-term campaigns. These tactics allowed Alexander to travel with a smaller force while still maintaining control of large areas. Alexander's tactics in battle are still studied by military strategists today.

Alexander's conquests had a lasting impact on the world, both politically and culturally. His campaigns marked the spread of Greek culture, giving rise to the Hellenistic Era. He also succeeded in uniting and bringing stability to a region that was filled with civil strife and political chaos. Alexander's lasting legacy can be seen today in the cultural and linguistic remnants of his vast empire, making him one of the most powerful rulers in world history.

Queen Victoria

Queen Victoria is one of the most powerful people who ruled the world. She was the monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland for nearly a century, from 1837 until her death in 1901. During her reign, she saw the expansion of the British Empire and its influence around the world as well as the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. Her reign marked a period of great stability and prosperity for the country, and she is remembered as one of the most iconic and longest-serving rulers in world history.

Victoria led a life of great virtue and modesty, and she was beloved by her people. Her coronation was celebrated with tremendous enthusiasm, and she acquired the affectionate title of ‘Victorian’. She is best remembered for her diplomatic skills, her superb administrative abilities, and her respect for law and order. Her exceptional leadership saw the introduction of many reforms in the fields of law, social welfare, education, and civil liberties.

Victoria's reign was also characterized by a series of successful military campaigns that helped to expand the British Empire to its largest size. Under her leadership, British power grew on an international scale, and the empire expanded to encompass territories throughout the world, from Africa, India, Australia, and New Zealand. This expansion of empire expanded Britain’s economic and political influence, and made her one of the most powerful people in the world at the time.

Victoria was known for her sharp wit and an acerbic manner, and she took her role as Head of State very seriously. Her highly structured rule from London was shared with her representatives in each of the British colonies, and she worked hard in order to bring a sense of cohesion and social stability to the country. She was also a passionate abolitionist and a strong proponent of civil rights, working hard to end discrimination and sexism.

Throughout her reign, Queen Victoria was highly respected by her people, and her legacy lives on today. Her statues, portraits, and memorials celebrate her life and her accomplishments, and her name is synonymous with Britain’s long-standing tradition of responsible and powerful leadership.

Adolf Hitler

Adolf Hitler was one of the most powerful people who ruled the world in the twentieth century, and arguably the most evil person to ever hold power. Born in Austria in 1889, Hitler was a highly decorated German army veteran of World War I, a successful author and publisher, and a powerful leader of the Nazi party. He rose to power in 1933, and quickly enacted a plan of terror and repression throughout Germany, Europe, and the world.

Hitler's policies were based on a philosophy of racial superiority. He sought to 'cleanse' Germany of Jews, Sinti and Roma, homosexuals, and others whom he deemed undesirable, leading to the Holocaust and the deaths of millions of people. He also promoted an aggressive German foreign policy, leading to the invasion of Poland and the start of World War II. Hitler's reign of terror ended in 1945 when his own people turned against him, leading to his suicide in an underground bunker.

Hitler's brutal and oppressive regime not only had a devastating impact on the people of Germany and Europe, but changed the course of world history, ushering in the age of international conflict and nuclear bomb threat. His extreme nationalism, racial prejudice, and totalitarian rule are regarded as some of the most dangerous ideologies of the modern age. In the end, Adolf Hitler's legacy is one of terror and destruction, proving that brutality can overpower reason and leave an indelible mark on the history of the world.

Genghis Khan

, born Temüjin and also known as Chinggis Khan, is widely regarded as one of the greatest conquerors and rulers of all time. He was the founder and first ruler of the Mongol Empire, and his extraordinary achievements served to unite much of the known world and transform it into the largest contiguous empire in history. Khan is also credited with introducing a new era of religious and cultural tolerance, as well as a new system of government based on merit and merit alone. His influence and legacy remain powerful today, and he is remembered as one of the people who ruled the world in the 13th century.

Khan was a charismatic leader who was able to rally disparate tribal groups in Central and East Asia to join his cause and aid him in both his conquests and his larger mission of unifying the Mongol nation. Khan was renowned for his skill in warfare, as well as his ability to effectively organize and govern the vast expanse of lands that he conquered. He instituted a series of reforms, including a new legal code and administrative structure, to better organize and manage the empire. His approach to governance was highly progressive for the time and it has had a lasting impact on global political and cultural dynamics, even today.

Khan's rule and influence was vast, and he was able to develop a powerful network of trade routes, known as the Silk Road, connecting the East and West. This enabled the exchange of vast amounts of goods and knowledge, including military tactics, religious practices, and technological advancements. Khan's rule had a vast and lasting impact on global dynamics, and his legacy remains powerful today.

Akbar the Great

Akbar the Great was one of the most powerful people who ruled the world from 1556 to 1605 CE. He was the third ruler of the Mughal Empire, ruling from Kabul to the Bay of Bengal. He was a strong, pious and remarkable ruler, who was determined to make his empire larger and more powerful.

Akbar was born to Humayun and Hamida Banu Begum in 1542. At the age of thirteen, he was appointed ruler of the Mughal Empire and showed immense talent in consolidating the power of the empire. Akbar was determined to bring unity and harmony to the empire with the idea of ‘Din-e-Ilahi’ or Divine Faith. He reversed the discriminatory policies of his predecessors and spread a message of peace and understanding. He embraced other religions and customs and allowed people from all backgrounds to participate in the imperial court.

Akbar was a sharp military strategist and a great statesman, who was known for his innovative ideas and ingenious solutions. He was instrumental in pushing the Mughal Empire to its heights, expanding it to its greatest extent. He annexed other states and developed trade routes with neighboring countries. He helped create a prosperous and stable economy, while at the same time ensuring justice and peace.

Akbar was a patron of art and culture. He is credited with creating a style of art that blended Islamic, Hindu and Persian influences, which was later dubbed ‘Mughal’ art. He encouraged scholars from all backgrounds, religions and languages to share their knowledge and promote mutual understanding. He also commissioned many buildings and monuments, such as the Agra Fort and the Red Fort, to celebrate his rule and his achievements.

Akbar was undoubtedly one of the most powerful rulers in the world. His reign was a period of great progress, stability and unity for the Mughal Empire and the entire world.

Napoleon Bonaparte

Napoleon Bonaparte was an influential figure and one of the most powerful people who ruled the world. Born on August 15, 1769 in Ajaccio, Corsica, he was the second of eight children to the family of Carlo and Letizia Bonaparte. He was a French military and political leader who rose to prominence during the French Revolution.

Napoleon first achieved greatness as a military leader. He was promoted to brigadier general at the young age of 24, and became famous for his role in leading the successful siege of Toulon during the War of the First Coalition in 1793. He was also responsible for leading France’s armies to victory during the Italian and Egyptian campaigns, and continued to lead the Grande Armée to victory over the Austrians in many battles. Napoleon also declared himself emperor of France, and was recognized as a great leader and military strategist.

Napoleon’s political legacy was also important. He was an advocate for a more centralized form of government in France and created the Napoleonic Code. This academic code of laws unified and simplified France’s laws, and was adopted across much of Europe. He also made a number of reforms to the education system, and established the first Central Bank of France.

Despite his military success, Napoleon suffered a number of defeats after his invasion of Russia in 1812, and was eventually deposed in 1814. He was then exiled to Elba, where he returned and briefly regained control of France before his final defeat at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.

Napoleon Bonaparte was one of the most powerful people who ruled the world during his time, and his legacy still fascinates millions of people today. He was an influential military and political leader whose ideas and reforms still influence and shape the world today.

Joseph Stalin

Joseph Stalin, who ruled the Soviet Union from 1922-1953, is widely considered one of the most powerful people who ever ruled the world. Born on December 18, 1878, in what is now Georgia, the Soviet dictator rose to power during the Russian Revolution in 1917, becoming the leader of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union in 1922.

During his rule, Stalin instituted a number of social and economic policies that not only shaped Soviet life but also reshaped international relations. He sought to modernize the country following the revolution, constructing a planned economy based upon state-ownership of industry, forced collectivization of agriculture, and rapid industrialization. These changes led to a significant boost in the Soviet economy and population, while also provoking severe hardships among rural workers and kulaks (wealthy peasants).

Stalin also sought to expand the Soviet empire, annexing a number of countries including the Baltic States, Finland, and part of East Prussia. His foreign policy, which aimed to further post-revolutionary Soviet control and the spread of Communism, included the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact of 1939, which enabled the two countries to divide and occupy certain parts of Europe.

Stalin also oversaw and constructed a number of massive purges during his rule, eliminating and imprisoning numerous political figures and intellectuals. His secret police, the NKVD, is estimated to have killed millions of people, many of whom were deemed to be 'enemies of the state'. His tactics of fear and control remain a primary example of the power of tyranny.

Overall, Joseph Stalin's rule of the Soviet Union was marked by his firm control of the country and his highly influential foreign policy. The enormity of his power is evidenced by his transformation of the Russian economy and international relations, as well as his heavy usage of fear tactics. To this day, he remains one of the most powerful people who ever ruled the world.