He also provided his citizens with free utilities and food, however, so there were small plus sides to his reign. But there have been several others too who were as cruel, if not more, than him. Right IconThis ranking is based on an algorithm that combines various factors, including the votes of our users and search trends on the internet. He was also very mentally unstable, exhibiting many signs of bipolar disorder. Pol Pot was a Cambodian politician who served as the prime minister of Democratic Kampuchea from 1975 and 1979. In addition to declaring himself father of all Turkmen, and President for life, Niyazov demanded that his citizens worship him daily, in strange and inconvenient ways. Nicolae Ceauescu was a Romanian politician who served as the first president of the country. He ruthlessly killed Jews, Gypsies, communists, homosexuals, political prisoners, and the disabled. He indiscriminately murdered rebels. Controversial Russian dictator, Joseph Stalin, ruled the Soviet Union for around 25 years from 1929 to 1953 and is credited for making it a prominent industrial and military power of the world. Rank the most Brutal Dictators. All in all, Genghis Khan killed nearly 10% of the worlds population at the time. Augusto Pinochet (Chile) One of the most well-known dictators of Latin America, Augusto Pinochet directed the 1973 coup d'tat against Salvador Allende. 6 Lee Hsien Loong (Singapore) 7 Fidel Castro (Cuba) Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz, known as Fidel Castro (August 13, 1926 November 25, He wore platform shoes while on stage at ceremonies, and spread propaganda that his style was being copied all over the world. He was found guilty of crimes against humanity and placed under house arrest until his death. He is also a lying, tyrannical douchebag, like most other notorious dictators. ", Dictatorial Government of the Philippines, the use of psychiatry as a political weapon, List of political leaders who suspended the constitution, "Oxford English Dictionary, (the definitive record of the English language)", Freedom in The World 2017 Populists and Autocrats: The Dual Threat to Global Democracy, "Democracy Index 2017 Economist Intelligence Unit", The brutal central African dictator whose playboy son faces French corruption trial, "Dictator: Media Code for 'Government We Don't Like', "Remembering the dark days of China's Cultural Revolution", Architect of Genocide Was Unrepentant to the End, Sudanese dictator Omar al-Bashir faces war crimes charges, "Assad must face trial for his atrocities against the Syrian people", "Criminal Inquiries Loom Over al-Assad's Use of Chemical Arms in Syria", "Assad Is Getting Away With the Century's 'Greatest War Crimes', "Syrian atrocities are 'greatest crimes' this century, UN chief says", "Breaking new ground: Transitional justice in Syria", "What's taking the ICC so long to investigate war crimes in Syria? Death: 28 March 1584. He was also the countrys first president. Adolf Hitler (1889-1945) Perhaps the most infamous dictator of them all, the fascist ruler of Nazi Germany dragged the globe into another world war in 1939 after invading Poland. If you want to learn more about modern dictators, find out which countries are ruled by dictatorships in present day. Widely considered a totalitarian dictator, Pol Pot was responsible for the Cambodian genocide, which resulted in the death of 1.5 to 2 million people. WebFind out more about the greatest 20th Century Dictators, including Bashar al-Assad, Saddam Hussein, Muammar Gaddafi, Kim Jong-un and Idi Amin The Famous He transformed the country into a one-party state.

His assassination on 6 April 1994 helped spark the Rwandan genocide, which had lasting effects on Rwanda. Forty million people were killed, making him one of the cruelest world dictators of all time. As punishment, Genghis Khan would kill your family, your familys family, and perhaps even your familys familys family if you betrayed him. This Hitler has only one objective, justice for his own people, sovereignty for his people, recognition of the independence of his people, and their right to their resources. Though he was branded a traitor, his name was later cleared. (2nd President of Rwanda (1973 - 1994)) 14. The coup led to the abolition of the monarchy of Cambodia. Attila is still known for being one of the most brutal dictators of all time. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Panamanian politician and military officer, Manuel Noriega, was the de facto ruler of Panama from 1983 to 1989. (Prime Minister of Cambodia from 1976 to 1979), (Former President of the Dominican Republic), (Supreme Leader of North Korea from 1997 to 2011), Portuguese economist Antnio de Oliveira Salazar had been the prime minister of Portugal from 1932 to 1968. And thats not the scariest thing about him. Jean-Bdel Bokassa 5. He also served as the prime minister and president of Poland during his influential political career. 2022 Foxiz News Network. He was awarded capital punishment for treason, but the court order was annulled later. In 2022 there are 57 dictatorships in the world. A revolutionary, politician and political theorist, Muammar Gaddafi seized power in Libya from King Idris in a bloodless coup in 1969 and became its authoritarian dictator for more than 40 years. At the end of the term, the Dictator's power was returned to normal Consular rule, though not all dictators accepted a return to power sharing. Your email address will not be published. WebMuammar Gaddafi was reportedly killed when rebel forces finally captured his hometown, Sirt, where the last remnants of the Gaddafi regime had held out amid weeks of grueling, He assumed this position from his father Kim Il-sung in 1994 and served in this position until his own death in 2011. He considered his slaughtering a remedy to his unquenchable thirst for blood, apparently. Pol Pot- the communist leader of Khmer Rouge believed that cities were evil and tried to take Cambodia back to its rural state. In 1804, he rose to power and took absolute control by declaring himself, Emperor. Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain 1452 1516 / 1451 - 1504. Kargil infiltration, confrontation with India and a steep rise in Pakistans GDP marked the presidency of the now-retired four-star general. Lists about modern and historical heads of state and world leaderstheir struggles, their actions, their eccentricities, and other things written about them by their admirers and their enemies. Khan was incredibly ruthless. The term dictator means one who has obtained total power or control over a country or a place by force. A fresh take on sports: the biggest news and most entertaining lists. WebSee also: Famous Assassinations | Historical Battles. He also served as the Polish People's Army's last commander-in-chief; Polish People's Army became the Polish Armed Forces in 1990. He is appreciated for numerous development work but is criticised for his authoritarian regime and policies which resulted in millions ofdeaths. by Sky HISTORY. He held the offices of, Sani Abacha (pronunciation ; 20 September 1943 8 June 1998) was a Nigerian Army officer and dictator who served as the de facto President of Nigeria from 1993 until his death in 1998. Saddam Hussein 4. It opposed class discrimination and supported nationalism. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. He then went on to become one of the most famous world dictators in history. Pervez Musharraf is a former Pakistani President and army chief who overthrew his countrys elected government in a coupto assume power as its chief executive. Catherine de Medici was known for her political and military acumen and her ruthlessness. His mummified body, needless to say, is morbidly on display in Moscow. The death toll was in millions making him one of the most ruthless dictators in the world. Let us know below. Napoleon Bonaparte proved that having your dad be king of France was not the only way to become ruler of France. Required fields are marked *. Sheikh Hasina has the distinct honor, or dishonor, of being the only woman leader on this list. In Latin America, the fear of either communism or socialism was often used as justification for dictatorship. After deposing the Ugandan president, he declared himself the president. Muammar Gaddafi was reportedly killed when rebel forces finally captured his hometown, Sirt, where the last remnants of the Gaddafi regime had held out amid weeks of grueling, grisly fighting. Others were more prosaic speakers, such as Stalin and Franco. In 1969, he led a putsch that secured him power, and shortly after he blackmailed all oil producers in his country to start handing him more money. He plundered and killed an innumerable number of people. [28] Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, known for perpetrating numerous chemical attacks, is often regarded as the deadliest war criminal of the 21st century for inflicting industrial-scale atrocities in the Syrian civil war.[a]. After gaining power, he lived a life of luxury while his country starved, and had thousands and thousands of people thrown in concentration camps. Controversial Russian dictator, Joseph Stalin, ruled the Soviet Union for around 25 years from 1929 to 1953 and is credited for making it a prominent industrial and military power of the world.

Some dictators have been masters of crowd manipulation, such as Mussolini and Hitler. This list of the most notable and famous dictators in the world is ordered by their level of importance and notoriety. Web1. Also known as the mad dog of the Middle East, Gaddafi was the epitome of Islamic dictatorship. In 2011, his decision to impose military sieges on protesters participating in the Arab Spring resulted in theongoingSyrian Civil War. Saddam was deposed in 2003 when a U.S led coalition invaded Iraq. Ivan the Terrible. The movie The Dictator was inspired by his outlandish style, and despotic tendencies, so that should give you a clue as to how ridiculous and cutthroat Muammar Gaddafi was. He was overthrown by his former colleagues in the Fascist government in July 1943 and ultimately shot dead in April 1945. Mainwaring, Scott, and Anbal Prez-Lin, eds. The Most Successful Dictators Of The Past Century. China, despite being a vast and vastly populated country, was politically weak. WebDied. In 2013, he was sentenced to 80 years in prison for crimes against humanity and genocide. That love led him to reduce Russias population by nearly a half-million, during a little thing called the Red Terror. Zedong wanted to follow Stalins Soviet industrialization model and radically transform China into an industrialized nation. Kim Jong-il was the second Supreme Leader of North Korea. Ion Antonescu ruled over Romania during the military dictatorship that He initially gained popularity and support; however, later, his increased dominance, support for international terrorism, and human rights violation turned people against him. Mao Tse-tung is credited as being the dictator who killed the most of his own people. A benevolent dictatorship refers to a government in which an authoritarian leader exercises absolute political power over the state but is perceived to do so with regard for the benefit of the population as a whole, standing in contrast to the decidedly malevolent stereotype of a dictator. Pinochet remained in power WebBrowse on to learn more interesting facts about the life of famous dictators from all over the world. As a result, it is often also used as a term of abuse against political opponents. Efran Ros Montt was a Guatemalan politician and military officer. Even when the Germans decided in December 1944, after the Allied breakthrough, to carve up Belgium, leaving only bicultural capital Brussels under the Reichskommissar, the post of Landsleider van het Vlaamsche Volk ('Land leader of the Flemish people') of the new Reichsgau (integral 'Germanic' part of the Reich, in this case merely on paper) (Flandern, Vlaanderen in Dutch; capital Anwerp) went to another collaborating party, Devlag, in the person of Jef Van de Wiele (19021979), 15 December 1944 1945, in exile in Germany as the Allies controlled all Belgium since September 1944; meanwhile in the French-speaking south of Belgium, partially reconquered by the Wehrmacht (December 1944 January 1945), the equivalent post of Chef du Peuple Wallon ('Leader of the Walloon People'), at the head of the Reichsgau Wallonien, went to Lon Degrelle (in exile in Germany) of the Belgicist Rex Party. He hasbeen accused of human rights violations and is said to have ordered the execution of several North Korean officials. Hungarian military leader and minister of war Artr Grgey was one of the most prominent figures of the Hungarian Revolutionary Army. He hasbeen accused of human rights violations and is said to have ordered the execution of several North Korean officials.

[11] In the movie The Great Dictator (1940), Charlie Chaplin satirized not only Adolf Hitler but the institution of dictatorship itself. If this list doesnt scare and sober us into being wary of the corrupting power of leadership if not wielded well, then we may be ready to be led down a bad path by a tyrannical leader. Responsible for World War II and the Holocaust, Hitler is arguably the worst person in history. This world dictators list has everyone from Adolf Hitler to Kim Jong Un to many lesser-known rulers. Awesome Teen Movies You Must See Before You Turn 20. Your email address will not be published. Though he was branded a traitor, his name was later cleared. A dictator is a leader who holds absolute authority and an extraordinary degree of personal power. He had also been the minister of defense and finance, among others. He forced the communization of the Unions farms, and murdered farmers who refused to hand their land over. (Prime Minister of Cambodia from 1976 to 1979), (Former President of the Dominican Republic), (Supreme Leader of North Korea from 1997 to 2011), Portuguese economist Antnio de Oliveira Salazar had been the prime minister of Portugal from 1932 to 1968. She was an Italian noblewoman who also became queen consort of France from 1547 until 1559 by marriage to King Henry II. Bashar al-Assad is the current president of Syria andhas been serving in this position since 17 July 2000. Originally an emergency legal appointment in the Roman Republic and the Etruscan culture, the term Dictator did not have the negative meaning it has now. The World's Most Entertaining Car Website, The Tate Way: Here's How Internet Sensation Andrew Tate Earns And Spends His Fortune, The 15 Most Notorious Rulers And Dictators In History, These Are The Richest TikTok Influencers, As Of 2022, Mariah Carey Will Be Releasing A New Album With Ledisi And Jazmine Sullivan, A Look At Kim K's Dating History: All Of Kim Kardashian's Boyfriends, Ranked By Net Worth, A Peek Inside King Charles III's Luxurious Watch Collection, Johnny Depp Allegedly Dating Lawyer Joelle Rich From His Libel Trial, Deadpool Biker's Club: Inside Ryan Reynolds' Expensive Motorcycle Collection, A Peek Inside David Beckham's Insane Car Collection, The 10 Best-Selling Video Games Of All Time, Love Is Blind Cast Iyanna McNeely Insists For A Divorce With Jarrette Jones, The 10 Most Expensive Superyachts In The World, As Of 2022, The 8 Most Expensive Photographs Ever Sold At Auctions, Jon Favreaus Newest $24 Million Laguna Beach Mansion, A Peek Inside Tom Hardy's Insane Car Collection, Urban Legend: The 8 Highest Selling Albums Of T.I., Ranked, 50 Cents Son Says $80,000/Year in Child Support Wasnt Enough, The 10 Most Expensive Things Owned By The Rothschilds, Olivia Cooke As The Newest Face Of Savage X Fenty Lingerie October Campaign, Jake Paul Offers NBA Star Draymond Green $10 Million To Fight. He had such an impact as a dictator that the period between the Nationalist victory and Franco's death is known as Francoist Spain in the history of Spain. They could kill, imprison, and spy on anyone they pleased. [27], The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Sudan's military dictator Omar al-Bashir over alleged war crimes in Darfur. Genghis Khan extended his empire from the Pacific to Europes heartland. Accused of crimes against humanity, Saddam Hussein was sentenced to death in 2006. WebFor this list, we've chosen some of the most notable and brutal dictators in history, and have ranked them based on the ruthlessness of their crimes.
The supreme leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-un, is considered a ruthless man and rules over his people with an iron fist. In just four years, Pol Pot slaughtered 1 to 3 million Cambodians, or nearly 25% of the countrys entire population. Joseph Stalin, after serving under Vladimir Lenin, came into political power after his death. He applied power and ruthless force and brought down his political foes. ", "Gulag Prisoner Population Statistics from 1934 to 1953. Having had a hand in the deaths of between 1.6 and 2 million Cambodians, Pol Pot comfortably makes the list of most brutal dictators of all time.

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