Buzz
1. Adolf Hitler
The top spot on the top 10 most influential figures in World War II list cannot go to anyone other than Adolf Hitler - the Führer of Nazi Germany and the man who ignited World War II.
Adolf Hitler was born in a village in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, in a family with six siblings, most of whom died early, leaving only Adolf Hitler and a sister who survived to adulthood. In 1906, Adolf Hitler went to Vienna to apply for enrollment at the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts but was rejected. His dream of becoming an artist shattered, Adolf Hitler lived a precarious life in Vienna, and it was during this difficult time that his mother passed away. Many scholars argue that the upheaval in Vienna was a turning point that led Adolf Hitler down the path of a great dictator, as during this time, Adolf Hitler read extensively, including the works of the philosopher Nietzsche, and became interested in politics.During World War I, Adolf Hitler enlisted in the army and fought for Germany, which led to him being granted German citizenship and the rank of corporal after the war. Following the defeat, Germany was economically weakened, and the political disillusionment of the people provided an opportunity for Adolf Hitler's oratory skills to shine. Adolf Hitler joined the Nazi Party, and the Nazi Party defeated other factions to gain absolute power in Germany, turning the country into a fascist state with the strongest industrial and military power in Europe at the time.On September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland on Adolf Hitler's orders, marking the beginning of World War II. Throughout the war, Adolf Hitler led Nazi Germany in aggression and occupied most of Europe, with vast territories including France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg in the West; Finland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark in the North; Poland, Austria, the Balkans in the East; Tunisia, Libya, Egypt in North Africa, even launching an attack on Moscow, the capital of the Soviet Union, and bombing London, the capital of England. By 1942, Nazi Germany had occupied 90% of Europe, with only Britain, Portugal, Spain, and Switzerland remaining.However, Nazi Germany subsequently failed in World War II against the Allied Powers when it was attacked by the Soviet Union from the East, while the Anglo-American forces attacked from the West, advancing towards the capital Berlin in 1945. On April 30, 1945, Adolf Hitler committed suicide by gunshot in his private room. According to his orders, German soldiers cremated Adolf Hitler's body with gasoline and buried it before the Soviet troops advanced and took control of Berlin. Nazi Germany was defeated, and the Nazi era came to an end.During his lifetime, Adolf Hitler was an important figure, with oratorical and diplomatic skills, authoritarian ideologies, extreme nationalism, and Aryan racial supremacy. Adolf Hitler was not only responsible for World War II but also for the heinous crime of exterminating Jews in Germany and Eastern Europe. It is estimated that up to 6 million Jews were massacred in Adolf Hitler's campaigns and by Nazi Germany.
Biographical Information:
Adolf Hitler was born in a village in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, in a family with six siblings, most of whom died early, leaving only Adolf Hitler and a sister who survived to adulthood. In 1906, Adolf Hitler went to Vienna to apply for enrollment at the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts but was rejected. His dream of becoming an artist shattered, Adolf Hitler lived a precarious life in Vienna, and it was during this difficult time that his mother passed away. Many scholars argue that the upheaval in Vienna was a turning point that led Adolf Hitler down the path of a great dictator, as during this time, Adolf Hitler read extensively, including the works of the philosopher Nietzsche, and became interested in politics.During World War I, Adolf Hitler enlisted in the army and fought for Germany, which led to him being granted German citizenship and the rank of corporal after the war. Following the defeat, Germany was economically weakened, and the political disillusionment of the people provided an opportunity for Adolf Hitler's oratory skills to shine. Adolf Hitler joined the Nazi Party, and the Nazi Party defeated other factions to gain absolute power in Germany, turning the country into a fascist state with the strongest industrial and military power in Europe at the time.On September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland on Adolf Hitler's orders, marking the beginning of World War II. Throughout the war, Adolf Hitler led Nazi Germany in aggression and occupied most of Europe, with vast territories including France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg in the West; Finland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark in the North; Poland, Austria, the Balkans in the East; Tunisia, Libya, Egypt in North Africa, even launching an attack on Moscow, the capital of the Soviet Union, and bombing London, the capital of England. By 1942, Nazi Germany had occupied 90% of Europe, with only Britain, Portugal, Spain, and Switzerland remaining.However, Nazi Germany subsequently failed in World War II against the Allied Powers when it was attacked by the Soviet Union from the East, while the Anglo-American forces attacked from the West, advancing towards the capital Berlin in 1945. On April 30, 1945, Adolf Hitler committed suicide by gunshot in his private room. According to his orders, German soldiers cremated Adolf Hitler's body with gasoline and buried it before the Soviet troops advanced and took control of Berlin. Nazi Germany was defeated, and the Nazi era came to an end.During his lifetime, Adolf Hitler was an important figure, with oratorical and diplomatic skills, authoritarian ideologies, extreme nationalism, and Aryan racial supremacy. Adolf Hitler was not only responsible for World War II but also for the heinous crime of exterminating Jews in Germany and Eastern Europe. It is estimated that up to 6 million Jews were massacred in Adolf Hitler's campaigns and by Nazi Germany.
Biographical Information:
- Birth Date: 20/04/1889
- Death Date: 30/04/1945
- Nationality: Austria, Germany
- Political Affiliation: Nazi Party
- Position: Führer of Nazi Germany, Leader of the Nazi Party
2. Joseph Stalin
Serving as the supreme leader of the Soviet Union from the mid-1920s until the end of World War II, Joseph Stalin also played a significant role in the Top 10 most influential figures in World War II.
Joseph Stalin was born into a family of shoemakers in the Russian Empire. In 1899, Joseph Stalin came across Lenin's works and joined the Bolshevik Party in 1903. From then on, Joseph Stalin became a prominent figure in the Bolshevik Party alongside Lenin. After the October Revolution, the Bolshevik Party seized power, and the Soviet Union was established, with Lenin becoming the supreme leader until his death due to illness, and Joseph Stalin took over that position.Before World War II officially began, Joseph Stalin and Adolf Hitler secretly signed a non-aggression pact, known as the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. According to the pact, Germany and the Soviet Union would not invade each other and would divide Eastern Europe between them, which laid the groundwork for Germany's invasion of Poland, leading to World War II.When the Axis Pact was established between Japan, Germany, Italy, Nazi Germany betrayed the pact and attacked the Soviet Union. In 1941, after winning victories on all European fronts, Germany violated the pact and attacked the Soviet Union. Adolf Hitler called it 'creating living space for the superior Aryan race.' A massive German army swiftly attacked the Soviet Union and inflicted heavy damage, but under the leadership of Joseph Stalin and the resilience of the Soviet Red Army, Leningrad and Moscow successfully withstood the siege. The German army's advance was hampered by the vast geographical distances, the vast Soviet territory, and the harsh weather conditions, weakening them and providing an opportunity for the Soviet Red Army to counterattack. The counteroffensive of the Soviet Red Army under the leadership of Joseph Stalin pushed back the German army, and the Soviet Red Army occupied all of Eastern Europe, advancing to Berlin and forcing Nazi Germany to surrender.The importance of the Soviet Union in the Allied victory in World War II is indisputable. Therefore, Joseph Stalin - the leader of the Soviet Union is also one of the most significant figures in this great victory.
Biographical Information:
Joseph Stalin was born into a family of shoemakers in the Russian Empire. In 1899, Joseph Stalin came across Lenin's works and joined the Bolshevik Party in 1903. From then on, Joseph Stalin became a prominent figure in the Bolshevik Party alongside Lenin. After the October Revolution, the Bolshevik Party seized power, and the Soviet Union was established, with Lenin becoming the supreme leader until his death due to illness, and Joseph Stalin took over that position.Before World War II officially began, Joseph Stalin and Adolf Hitler secretly signed a non-aggression pact, known as the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. According to the pact, Germany and the Soviet Union would not invade each other and would divide Eastern Europe between them, which laid the groundwork for Germany's invasion of Poland, leading to World War II.When the Axis Pact was established between Japan, Germany, Italy, Nazi Germany betrayed the pact and attacked the Soviet Union. In 1941, after winning victories on all European fronts, Germany violated the pact and attacked the Soviet Union. Adolf Hitler called it 'creating living space for the superior Aryan race.' A massive German army swiftly attacked the Soviet Union and inflicted heavy damage, but under the leadership of Joseph Stalin and the resilience of the Soviet Red Army, Leningrad and Moscow successfully withstood the siege. The German army's advance was hampered by the vast geographical distances, the vast Soviet territory, and the harsh weather conditions, weakening them and providing an opportunity for the Soviet Red Army to counterattack. The counteroffensive of the Soviet Red Army under the leadership of Joseph Stalin pushed back the German army, and the Soviet Red Army occupied all of Eastern Europe, advancing to Berlin and forcing Nazi Germany to surrender.The importance of the Soviet Union in the Allied victory in World War II is indisputable. Therefore, Joseph Stalin - the leader of the Soviet Union is also one of the most significant figures in this great victory.
Biographical Information:
- Birth Date: 18/12/1878
- Death Date: 05/03/1953
- Nationality: Soviet Union
- Political Affiliation: Allies
- Position: Supreme Leader, General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union
3. Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland during World War II. He was born in Oxfordshire into an aristocratic family. Winston Churchill attended the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and served as a cavalry officer in India before becoming a war correspondent.In 1900, Winston Churchill officially entered politics by joining the Conservative Party of the United Kingdom and later entered Parliament shortly after. In 1910, Winston Churchill became the Home Secretary. During World War I, he headed the Royal Navy Division.As World War II approached, Winston Churchill led the Conservative Party in heavy criticism of the appeasement policies and the 'Munich Agreement' of then-Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain. When World War II broke out and France was defeated by Germany, Neville Chamberlain's credibility plummeted, while Britain faced the danger of war and the formidable power of Nazi Germany at that time was extremely strong. In that context, Winston Churchill became the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. He declared war on Nazi Germany instead of surrendering, a decision considered one of the most crucial in World War II. With his oratory skills and leadership, Winston Churchill became a steadfast source of morale for the United Kingdom and was one of the key leaders of the Allies against the Axis powers in World War II.
Biographical Information:
Biographical Information:
- Birth Date: 30/11/1874
- Death Date: 24/01/1965
- Nationality:
British
- Political Affiliation: Allies
- Position: Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland
4. Tojo Hideki
Although in Japan, the Emperor is the highest leader, under the Empire of Japan, Emperor Hirohito actually had little political power. The one who held most of the political power of the Empire of Japan and made the war decisions was Tojo Hideki. He was a nationalist who held the position of Prime Minister of the Empire of Japan throughout World War II. Tojo Hideki also held the position of General of the Imperial Japanese Army and had all military authority, leading to the war in China and the Pacific War. As one of the Top 10 most influential figures in World War II, Tojo Hideki was sentenced to death for war crimes. He was hanged in 1946 under the decision of the judge of the International Military Tribunal for the Far East.
Biographical Information:
Biographical Information:
- Birth Date: 30/12/1884
- Death Date: 23/12/1948
- Nationality: Japanese
- Political Affiliation: Axis
- Position: Prime Minister of the Empire of Japan, General of the Imperial Japanese Army
5. Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt was the 32nd President of the United States, also one of the greatest presidents of all time. He is the only President of the United States to be elected for more than two terms, serving throughout World War II, during which he decided that the United States would enter the fierce war.
Franklin D. Roosevelt was born into a wealthy and powerful family in New York. Both his paternal and maternal families had many political connections, and his distant cousin, Franklin D. Roosevelt's, Theodore Roosevelt, was also the 26th President of the United States, which helped Franklin D. Roosevelt in his political career. In 1911, Franklin D. Roosevelt became a Senator from New York and the Governor of New York in 1928. Franklin D. Roosevelt won the presidential election in 1932 and became the 32nd President of the United States.When World War II began, the United States did not engage in the war because it believed that the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans would protect them from the war. However, the United States still supported the Allies in many ways, such as selling weapons to Britain and economically sanctioning Japan. This led Japan to decide to attack the United States, beginning with the attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. The significant damage in the Pearl Harbor attack and the imminent threat when Japan was dominating the entire Pacific region led Franklin D. Roosevelt to declare war on Japan. Many conspiracy theories believe that the United States intentionally lost the Pearl Harbor battle to have a reason to join World War II.During his third term, Franklin D. Roosevelt led the United States to fully engage in World War II, fighting alongside the Allies against the Axis. The United States military confronted Japan in the Pacific theater, coordinated with the Allies to fight against Germany and Italy in Northern Europe, and landed in Normandy, France, to attack Nazi Germany all the way to Berlin. In 1945, Franklin D. Roosevelt ordered the US military to drop two atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan. This was the first time atomic weapons were used, and it caused devastating damage, leading Japan to surrender immediately.Although he also played a significant role in the decisions against the Axis in World War II, Franklin D. Roosevelt, before directing the United States to engage in the war, once said that if Germany defeated Russia, it would help the Russians, and if Russia defeated Germany, it would help the Germans. This shows the terrifying cunning and calculation of Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Biographical Information:
Franklin D. Roosevelt was born into a wealthy and powerful family in New York. Both his paternal and maternal families had many political connections, and his distant cousin, Franklin D. Roosevelt's, Theodore Roosevelt, was also the 26th President of the United States, which helped Franklin D. Roosevelt in his political career. In 1911, Franklin D. Roosevelt became a Senator from New York and the Governor of New York in 1928. Franklin D. Roosevelt won the presidential election in 1932 and became the 32nd President of the United States.When World War II began, the United States did not engage in the war because it believed that the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans would protect them from the war. However, the United States still supported the Allies in many ways, such as selling weapons to Britain and economically sanctioning Japan. This led Japan to decide to attack the United States, beginning with the attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. The significant damage in the Pearl Harbor attack and the imminent threat when Japan was dominating the entire Pacific region led Franklin D. Roosevelt to declare war on Japan. Many conspiracy theories believe that the United States intentionally lost the Pearl Harbor battle to have a reason to join World War II.During his third term, Franklin D. Roosevelt led the United States to fully engage in World War II, fighting alongside the Allies against the Axis. The United States military confronted Japan in the Pacific theater, coordinated with the Allies to fight against Germany and Italy in Northern Europe, and landed in Normandy, France, to attack Nazi Germany all the way to Berlin. In 1945, Franklin D. Roosevelt ordered the US military to drop two atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan. This was the first time atomic weapons were used, and it caused devastating damage, leading Japan to surrender immediately.Although he also played a significant role in the decisions against the Axis in World War II, Franklin D. Roosevelt, before directing the United States to engage in the war, once said that if Germany defeated Russia, it would help the Russians, and if Russia defeated Germany, it would help the Germans. This shows the terrifying cunning and calculation of Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Biographical Information:
- Birth Date: 30/01/1882
- Death Date: 12/04/1945
- Nationality: American
- Political Affiliation: Allies
- Position: President of the United States
6. Benito Mussolini
Benito Mussolini was the Prime Minister, Duce of the Italian Empire - one of the three fascist countries in the Axis.Benito Mussolini was born into a working-class family with a father who was a blacksmith and a mother who was a teacher. During World War I, Benito Mussolini worked for the British Secret Intelligence Service MI5 and joined the Italian Socialist Party when the war ended.After the war, amidst the chaos in Italy, Benito Mussolini rose to the position of Prime Minister of Italy, leading Italy into fascism. Benito Mussolini was called the 'fascist dictator' as he was the pioneer of fascism in Europe at the time, based on the foundation of fascism from the Roman Republic. Under the leadership of Benito Mussolini, the Italian Empire invaded and waged war in the Mediterranean and North Africa. However, Adolf Hitler's decision to 'only care about the North African front after conquering the Soviet Union' led to the Axis forces in North Africa being insufficiently strong and defeated by the Allies afterward.In 1943, Benito Mussolini was arrested and imprisoned by the fascist Grand Council he had established. When Italy was liberated by the Allies, Benito Mussolini was sentenced to death by the Council of Resistance. His body was taken to Milan and hung upside down in a public square before being buried.
Biographical Information:
Biographical Information:
- Birth Date: 29/07/1883
- Death Date: 28/04/1945
- Nationality: Italy
- Political Affiliation: Fascist
- Position: Leader of Italian fascism, Prime Minister of the Italian Empire, Duce of the Italian Empire
7. Herman Goring
Only second to Adolf Hitler, Herman Goring held the second most powerful position in Nazi Germany during World War II.
Herman Goring was born in Bavaria and was considered Aryan by Hitler, a superior race. Herman Goring's father was a cavalry officer and Herman Goring dreamed of becoming a soldier from a young age. In World War I, Herman Goring became a soldier and after the war, he excelled in his role as an economist, aviator, significantly contributing to the economic recovery of Germany. Herman Goring joined the Nazi Party in 1923 after hearing Adolf Hitler speak. Herman Goring also founded the Gestapo secret police organization - a force that suppressed other political factions in Germany.When World War II broke out, Herman Goring was designated by Hitler as the supreme leader in case anything happened to Hitler. Herman Goring was also appointed by Hitler as the Reichsmarschall of the German Empire - a rank higher than any other military marshal. Throughout the war, Herman Goring was Hitler's right-hand man in all political, military, economic matters, especially as Minister of Economics, Herman Goring ensured that Germany had the resources to sustain the war. Herman Goring's position significantly diminished in Hitler's eyes as Germany began to lose in 1942. In 1945, Herman Goring learned of Hitler's intention to commit suicide and sent a letter requesting to assume leadership of the Empire. Hitler saw this as an act of treason and stripped Herman Goring of all power and ordered his arrest. Reflecting on this matter, General Dwight Eisenhower - Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Europe stated: 'With just one sentence, Hitler did what the Allies had been striving for years to achieve: Eliminate Herman Goring'. Herman Goring's power was then transferred to Heinrich Himmler - Hitler's left-hand man and the third most powerful person in Germany.After the war, Herman Goring was convicted of war crimes and crimes against humanity and sentenced to death by hanging. However, Herman Goring committed suicide by cyanide poisoning on the eve before the sentence was carried out.
Biographical Information:
Herman Goring was born in Bavaria and was considered Aryan by Hitler, a superior race. Herman Goring's father was a cavalry officer and Herman Goring dreamed of becoming a soldier from a young age. In World War I, Herman Goring became a soldier and after the war, he excelled in his role as an economist, aviator, significantly contributing to the economic recovery of Germany. Herman Goring joined the Nazi Party in 1923 after hearing Adolf Hitler speak. Herman Goring also founded the Gestapo secret police organization - a force that suppressed other political factions in Germany.When World War II broke out, Herman Goring was designated by Hitler as the supreme leader in case anything happened to Hitler. Herman Goring was also appointed by Hitler as the Reichsmarschall of the German Empire - a rank higher than any other military marshal. Throughout the war, Herman Goring was Hitler's right-hand man in all political, military, economic matters, especially as Minister of Economics, Herman Goring ensured that Germany had the resources to sustain the war. Herman Goring's position significantly diminished in Hitler's eyes as Germany began to lose in 1942. In 1945, Herman Goring learned of Hitler's intention to commit suicide and sent a letter requesting to assume leadership of the Empire. Hitler saw this as an act of treason and stripped Herman Goring of all power and ordered his arrest. Reflecting on this matter, General Dwight Eisenhower - Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Europe stated: 'With just one sentence, Hitler did what the Allies had been striving for years to achieve: Eliminate Herman Goring'. Herman Goring's power was then transferred to Heinrich Himmler - Hitler's left-hand man and the third most powerful person in Germany.After the war, Herman Goring was convicted of war crimes and crimes against humanity and sentenced to death by hanging. However, Herman Goring committed suicide by cyanide poisoning on the eve before the sentence was carried out.
Biographical Information:
- Birth Date: 12/01/1893
- Death Date: 15/10/1946
- Nationality: Germany
- Political Affiliation: Nazi
- Position: Deputy Fuhrer of Nazi Germany, President of the Reichstag, Reichsmarschall of the German Empire, Minister of Economics
8. Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight D. Eisenhower was a 5-star general in the United States Army during World War II, and also served as the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Europe. After achieving victories in the Pacific theater, Dwight D. Eisenhower became the supreme military leader of the United States in the Western and North African theaters. Under the leadership of Dwight D. Eisenhower, the Allied Forces defeated the Axis powers in North Africa, liberated Italy from fascist rule before landing in Normandy, France, and advancing to the capital city of Berlin, leading to Germany's surrender.
Biographical Information:
Biographical Information:
- Birth Date: 14/10/1890
- Death Date: 28/03/1969
- Nationality: United States
- Political Affiliation: Allied
- Position: Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Europe, Chief of Staff of the United States Army
9. Georgi Konstantinovich Zhukov
In the Top 10 Most Influential Figures in World War II, Georgi Konstantinovich Zhukov stands out as the most instrumental leader in guiding the Soviet Red Army to victory over Nazi Germany. Georgi Konstantinovich Zhukov tops the list in terms of both the quantity and scale of victories in the Soviet Union's Great Patriotic War. The name Georgi Konstantinovich Zhukov is synonymous with most major victories such as the Battle of Moscow, the Siege of Leningrad, the Battle of Kursk, Operation Bagration, the Battle of Berlin, and more. Other renowned military leaders of World War II such as Dwight Eisenhower (USA), Sir Bernard Montgomery (UK), Jean de Lattre de Tassigny (France), Aleksandr Vasilevsky (Soviet Union) all acknowledge Georgi Konstantinovich Zhukov as the greatest general in the fight against fascism.
Biographical Information:
Biographical Information:
- Birth Date: 01/12/1896
- Death Date: 18/06/1974
- Nationality: Soviet Union
- Political Affiliation: Allied
- Position: Marshal of the Soviet Union, Minister of Defense of the Soviet Union
10. Erwin Rommel
And rounding off the Top 10 Most Influential Figures in World War II is General Erwin Rommel of Germany - famously known as the 'Desert Fox.' Erwin Rommel stands as the most renowned field marshal of Germany - responsible for defending Hitler in the invasion of Poland, commanding the 'Ghost Division' in the conquest of France, leading the Axis forces in North Africa, and commanding the formidable German armored divisions against the Allied forces on the Normandy front. Despite having significantly inferior forces, Erwin Rommel held his ground and secured many crucial victories in North Africa, earning him the reputation as the most skillful military strategist in desert terrain.Despite being Germany's most celebrated field marshal, Erwin Rommel neither joined the Nazi Party nor supported the National Socialist ideology. Throughout his military career, Erwin Rommel refrained from committing any war crimes, earning him respect even from the Allied forces. Towards the end of World War II, Erwin Rommel led an anti-Hitler resistance movement. Although he opposed Hitler, Erwin Rommel was involved in the failed assassination attempt on Adolf Hitler. Following the failed assassination attempt, most of the conspirators were executed, but Adolf Hitler chose to allow Erwin Rommel to retire due to his personal fondness for him. However, other political rivals such as Himmler, Bormann, Keitel... pressured Hitler to execute Erwin Rommel. Erwin Rommel was given cyanide poison, which he ingested to safeguard his family's safety.Upon his death, Erwin Rommel was buried with the honors befitting a high-ranking military commander.
Biographical Information:
Biographical Information:
- Birth Date: 15/11/1891
- Death Date: 14/10/1944
- Nationality: Germany
- Political Affiliation: Nazi
- Position: Field Marshal of the German Wehrmacht, Commander of the German Afrika Korps
