Which national historical politician did most for your country and the world? - Historum

**jeroenrottgering** · November 23rd, 2012, 05:24 AM

Which politician do you believe did the most for your country and the world. Who was he, and what did he do? Is he still respected in your country or mostly forgotten. Those are the things I want to know.

For me it is William of Orange

Who was he? Well he was the man who took the lead in leading the Dutch to Independence. With a lot of religious unrest and Protestant persecuation, he was the guy who said no eventually to Philip II of Spain. He gathered an army in Germany and made the first step to war against the Spanish oppressors. Although he himself wasn't successful in the field, he did became the symbol of resistance. This Prince of the Duchy of Orange and Duke of Nassau, transformed himself into a true hero and founding father. His sons (Maurice of Orange-Nassau and Frederick Henry of Orange-Nassau) would later with their brilliant military tactics give this new Republic it's real shape by military conquest, but it was William who leaded the Dutch to independence in the first place.

For the world he became one of the first real fighter for religious freedom for both sides! Not just the Catholic or the Protestants. He was a true student of Erasmus. Also by his revolt he cracked the Spanish Army never to restore again and from then on the world would be dominated by a combination of Dutch, English and French empires.

Today, although history education is bad like in most countries he is still respected and remembered and I can honestly say that anyone above the age of 18 at least knows this man and can tell a little about him.

Now you!

funakison · November 23rd, 2012, 05:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeroenrottgering

Which politician do you believe did the most for your country and the world. Who was he, and what did he do? Is he still respected in your country or mostly forgotten. Those are the things I want to know.

For me it is William of Orange

Who was he? Well he was the man who took the lead in leading the Dutch to Independence. With a lot of religious unrest and Protestant persecuation, he was the guy who said no eventually to Philip II of Spain. He gathered an army in Germany and made the first step to war against the Spanish oppressors. Although he himself wasn't successful in the field, he did became the symbol of resistance. This Prince of the Duchy of Orange and Duke of Nassau, transformed himself into a true hero and founding father. His sons (Maurice of Orange-Nassau and Frederick Henry of Orange-Nassau) would later with their brilliant military tactics give this new Republic it's real shape by military conquest, but it was William who leaded the Dutch to independence in the first place.

For the world he became one of the first real fighter for religious freedom for both sides! Not just the Catholic or the Protestants. He was a true student of Erasmus. Also by his revolt he cracked the Spanish Army never to restore again and from then on the world would be dominated by a combination of Dutch, English and French empires.

Today, although history education is bad like in most countries he is still respected and remembered and I can honestly say that anyone above the age of 18 at least knows this man and can tell a little about him.

Now you!

Ah yes, i think we call him William the Silent, he was certainly the leading figure in the Dutch war of independence, so much so that the revolt showed signs of cracking after he died. A most worthy candidate for Father of the Nation IMHO .

**jeroenrottgering** · November 23rd, 2012, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funakison

Ah yes, i think we call him William the Silent, he was certainly the leading figure in the Dutch war of independence, so much so that the revolt showed signs of cracking after he died. A most worthy candidate for Father of the Nation IMHO .

Agree 100% with this, but what about your own?

**tjadams** · November 23rd, 2012, 08:59 AM

He doesn't fit the slimy definition of a politician, but Ben Franklin gets my vote.

His influence and time spent in Europe and as Minister to Sweden and France, came at a critical
time in US History.

Temujin · November 23rd, 2012, 10:05 AM

This guy wasn't exactly nice and he was ruthless but without him Germany would have never have played such an important role in world politics today and in earlier times, whether negative or positive.

Otto von Bismarck

**bartieboy** · November 23rd, 2012, 10:53 AM

Willem_Drees

Willem Drees, the Clement Attlee of the Netherlands

The merchant of Venice · November 23rd, 2012, 11:54 AM

For Italy as a country, either giolitti or cavour.

For the influence on the rest of the world, mussolini, since fascism was the prototype for hitler and many others dictators

**jeroenrottgering** · November 23rd, 2012, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bartieboy

Willem Drees - Wikipedia

Willem Drees, the Clement Attlee of the Netherlands

Really? Why not the Prince of Orange?

**bartieboy** · November 23rd, 2012, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeroenrottgering

Really? Why not the Prince of Orange?

Well it wouldn't be right to name only one great Dutchman when there have been so many great Dutchmen

Alaric · November 23rd, 2012, 12:30 PM

Kiro Gligorov. Born in 1917, participated in ASNOM (an anti-fascist body) during WW2, held very high positions in the former Yugoslavia, and then became the first president of the independent Republic of Macedonia. In his two terms, he led the country through a peaceful secession from Yugoslavia, protected the country from several hostile neighbors, and survived an assassination attempt which blinded him in one eye. He died on January 1 of this year.