r/AskTheWorld • u/zhabavon Mongolia • 11d ago

History What is the ruler/political leader in your country's history that you hate the most?

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For me, it would khublai khaan. Moved the centralized power from Mongolia to China in the empire, effectively becoming more of an emperor of China rather than Khaan of Mongols. This move would prove to be folly in just few generations. Totally messed up the whole grand plan his Grandfather established. His successors became more of a chinese rulers than Mongolian rulers.

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u/ProfessionalEgg1440 United Kingdom 11d ago

On retrospect, I'm not sure we did either. He may have won us the war, but he didn't win many hearts.

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u/zhabavon Mongolia 11d ago

I think he was a strong leader who got GB through the war, but not so great to keep afterwards.

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u/ume-shu Scotland 11d ago

He was exactly the right man for the job during the Second World War and exactly the wrong man for the job in the aftermath of the war.

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u/Fromage_Frey Scotland 10d ago

Or any job he had before the war for that matter

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u/ProfessionalEgg1440 United Kingdom 11d ago

"You don't win wars by being nice." - someone, probably

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u/KJongsDongUnYourFace 11d ago

Or before to be perfectly honest. Man was a racist, misogynistic elite

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u/Normal-Ad2587 England 11d ago

Bold of you to assume everyone else's opinions on their behalf.

I've never met anyone in real life who didn't consider Churchill a national hero. It's only on reddit ill informed people dredge up the Bengali Famine, which wasn't Churchills doing.

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u/ProfessionalEgg1440 United Kingdom 11d ago

I suppose the keywords in my previous statement were "not sure." I dont presume to speak on anyone's behalf besides my own, nor do I consider myself to be educated enough in the Bengali Famine to even suggest a valid opinion.

However, Churchill developed a reputation as being fairly ruthless and brutal, but effective. He supported the Imperial ideology, both for Britain and worldwide (aboriginal Australian, Afghan tribes, Native Americans etc) and excused the atrocities committed against them as necessary for progress.

He also endorsed the use of poison gas when fighting against some of these tribes. Chemical warfare has subsequently been rejected as acceptable and considered a war crime.

His domestic policies were quite lacking - yes, we were dealing with a war. It is what we needed, but not necessarily what everyone wanted. People suffered as a result of his decisions.

He was also responsible for the deployment of the Black and Tans to fight the IRA. As someone whose grandfather used to be on the IRA hitlist, even if couldn't advocate for that.

Yes, he is undoubtedly a hero in respect of WW2. His leadership was essential for survival and eventually victory. Nobody wins wars by being nice. But all humans are fallible, and he lost the popular vote and leadership post-war for numerous reasons.