10 People Whose Death Changed the World

10-People-Whose-Death-Changed-the-World

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’ll be discussing the most significant world events that either came into fruition or were set in motion, following the demise of a specific figure.

Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria

It’s not entirely accurate to label the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand as the only catalyst for World War I. That said, it is perhaps satisfactory to describe it as the proverbial tinder and flint which helped light the fire, tipping political tensions over the edge. The Archduke of Austria and his wife were shot in Sarajevo by Gavrilo Princip, a Bosnian Serb student. The assassination followed a failed bombing attempt on Ferdinand’s motorcade. Princip didn’t act alone; he was part of the separatist group Young Bosnia, which received support in their actions from the Serbian secret organization, Black Hand. World War I certainly loomed large at the time of Ferdinand’s death, but this event effectively codified its inevitability.

Abraham Lincoln

We’re all taught in school about how actor John Wilkes Booth assassinated President Abraham Lincoln during a play at Ford’s Theatre. What’s also interesting are the consequences that followed, specifically during the subsequent presidency of Andrew Johnson. The former Vice President failed to deliver upon Lincoln’s plans for a post-war Reconstruction of the South due to his desire to assist wealthy white Southern conservatives. Johnson’s undeniable racism ultimately led to a Reconstruction era that was plagued by carpetbagging Northern opportunists, and an overarching sense of failure. His relentless conflict with congress led to him becoming the first American president to be impeached, and paved the way for increased congressional influence in American politics.

Julius Caesar

The history of Rome dates back to antiquity, with the establishment of the Roman Kingdom circa 753 B.C. The death of Julius Caesar, meanwhile, would signify the onset of a chaotic civil war, the demise of Rome’s Republic…and the rise of an Empire. March 15th, a date popularly known as The Ides of March, memorializes Caesar’s assassination by Roman senators. It was the culmination of a grand and infamous conspiracy, involving over 50 of Rome’s public servants, including Caesar’s close compatriot, Marcus Junius Brutus. Brutus’ reputation is now divisive; while some vilify him as one of history’s greatest traitors, others regard his actions as heroic, and a courageous stand against Caesar’s lack of political accountability.

Saddam Hussein

The Iran-Iraq War was fought, in part, to prevent Iran’s post-revolution influence from seeping into Iraqi President Saddam Hussein’s Ba'athist Sunni government. Throughout this bloody conflict, Saddam remained in power, with his war efforts being silently backed by the United States. However, his invasion of Kuwait in 1990 led to a direct confrontation with the American military during the Gulf War. Following 9/11, American pressure on Saddam increased, leading to the invasion of Iraq and the downfall of his regime. He was later convicted of crimes against humanity and executed in 2006. This event ultimately opened the doors for the aforementioned Iranian influence and theocratic philosophies to permeate not only Iraq, but also large sections of the Middle East.

Mahatma Gandhi

The aftermath of Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination was one of grim irony, sharply contrasting with his message of non-violence. On January 30th 1948, Gandhi was assassinated by one Nathuram Godse while on his way to a prayer meeting. Godse was a Hindu nationalist who objected to Gandhi’s compassionate stance towards displaced Muslim nationals in the aftermath of British colonialism in India. After Gandhi’s death, public displays of mourning unfolded, which were juxtaposed against violent riots in areas such as Mumbai. Gandhi’s demise would forever raise questions as to what routes modern-day Pakistan would've taken had his peaceful ethos been allowed to continue as India navigated the political landscape post-British Raj.

Alexander the Great

It’s difficult to know exactly how vast Alexander the Great’s empire would’ve become if he hadn’t succumbed to fever and disease at only 32 years of age. What is known, however, is that Alexander’s lack of foresight with regards to his line of succession resulted in chaos, civil war and turmoil. Today, our geographical concept of “East vs. West” is largely attributed to the fracturing of Alexander’s empire, which stretched to roughly 2 million square miles. Nonetheless, Alexander’s demise ultimately proved that his control over this empire was tenuous, at best. It didn’t take long for rebellions to break out over the command of this collapsing house of cards.

Moctezuma II

The days of the Aztec Empire were effectively numbered after the death of Moctezuma II on June 30th, 1520. The manner of the Aztec emperor’s death has been disputed, with most agreeing that he was stoned to death by his own people following a failed negotiation with the invading Spanish Conquistador Hernán Cortés. Still others believe that it was Cortés himself who did the job. While that remains up in the air, what is certain is that the Conquistadors narrowly escaped Aztec land with their lives, and then came back for vengeance. Cortés’ war of attrition decimated the city of Tenochtitlán, setting the stage for further European colonial efforts in the New World.

Mohammad Reza Pahlavi

It’s entirely possible that the cultural landscape of modern day Iran might look drastically different had the Iranian Revolution not taken place back in 1979. The Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, espoused a political ideology known as the “Great Civilization,” where Iran would emerge as a global superpower with idealized socio-economic conditions for its people. His reign was also notable for how Iranian culture largely echoed Western fashion and music trends, rather than enforced Islamic fundamentalism. Following the revolution, Pahlavi was forced into exile, and Iran’s cultural trajectory shifted towards a clerical theocracy under the leadership of Ayatollah Khomeini. The Shah, meanwhile, died in exile on July 27th, 1980.

Vladimir Lenin

Few figures from the former Soviet Union’s socio-political sphere are as polarizing and controversial as Vladimir Lenin. The life of this former Soviet Head of State saw his administration rise to power via the October Revolution of 1917, deposing Russian Tsar Nicholas II. This armed coup allowed for Leninist Communist politics to shape the Soviet Union’s political course for decades. Yet, it was Lenin’s death in 1924 that created an opportunity for change; a vacuum that would allow the dictatorship of Joseph Stalin to emerge. Some historians argue that both Lenin and Stalin were dictators, albeit in different ways. Regardless, Russia’s legacy of political turbulence was further inflamed after Lenin’s death.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Martin Luther King, Jr.
His Dream Lives On, but the Fight for Social Justice Never Ends

Ngô Đình Diệm
His Death via a CIA-Backed Coup Led to More American Troops in Vietnam

Yitzhak Rabin
His Assassination Placed More Distance Between Israel, Palestine & Peace

President John F. Kennedy
Ground Zero for the Death of American Optimism & Conspiracy Culture

Jesus Christ

Christianity is the world’s largest religion, with around a third of the global population adhering to its basic tenets. The figure of Jesus Christ sits at the center of these tenets, a singular figure whose life, death and prophesied resurrection serve as the foundation of the faith. The Christian Bible describes the life of Jesus for believers, while historical and archaeological evidence paints contextual pictures for those outside of its religious sphere of influence. It is fair to point out that religious cultures all over the world possess their own important mythologies. However, the sheer vastness of Jesus Christ’s impact over the world continues to be felt long after the Biblical accounts of his death.

What are your thoughts on some of these historical figures? Let us know in the comments.