Leaders are not Equal

What do Caesar, Genghis Khan, Washington, Napoleon, Lincoln, Lenin, Stalin, Churchill , Hitler Reagan and Saddam Husein all have in common?.... Give up? Easy isn't it, they were all historical leaders of men.

They all were through one means or another, through force of ideas or force of arms, able to command vast multitudes to follow them. So it is obvious that being a leader or even having a large following of the populace behind you is not necessarily a prerequisite for "greatness". Let's take just two very similar (historically) figures and see if you would attach the tag "Great Leader" to his name.

Both George Washington and Josef Stalin were a part though not necessarily the driving force of "Revolution". Lenin would be more likely considered the father of the Soviet Revolution and the many others including Jefferson, Franklin, and Adams could equally claim the title regarding the American Revolution such a title was to be bestowed.

However both Stalin and Washington were intricate components to, and driving forces to the revolutions that overthrew the existing governments and political order to establish new regimes and political systems.

Both were the first true leaders of these new system of government, there were actually several leaders prior to Washington under the Articles of Confederation, just as there were leaders of the Soviet Union before Stalin, but both are recognized as the first true leaders of their respective country's new government.

Both men successfully led their countries as supreme commander though wars which determined their countries survival, Washington the American Revolution and Stalin the Second World War.

Historically they have much in common, but as we know these two historic leaders are polar opposites in the annals of mankind.

Washington was so revered, respected even loved that after a long struggle to free themselves from the English monarchy, his peers and the citizens would have gladly made him king. Not only would he not accept it, he refused to serve another term as President which at the time was totally acceptable.

Stalin on the other hand butchered his way to the leadership position which he held onto by purges and murder for the next 31 years . It is estimated that his pogroms are responsible for the deaths of literally millions of people.

Washington to this day is an iconic figure who throughout history has become a symbol of human freedom both in this country and throughout the world. His courage, words and integrity are both legendary and admired.

Upon his death, Soviet leaders had to begin a program called de-Stalinization to destroy his reputation and attempt to wipe away his legacy.

George Washington was a compassionate man with a deep and abiding belief in both God and the goodness of man who believed in liberty.

Josef Stalin was an evil thug, an atheist megalomaniac tyrant who killed and imprisoned millions of his own people and sought world domination.

Two historical figures, two similar stories, two leaders of men. All leaders are not equal.

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