10 Political Mistakes That Changed History Forever
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VOICE OVER: Peter DeGiglio
WRITTEN BY: Jordy McKen
Dive into the most catastrophic political blunders that dramatically altered the course of world history. From disastrous military decisions to critical mistranslations, these moments reveal how a single mistake can reshape entire civilizations and global power dynamics. Our countdown explores shocking errors by world leaders including Hitler's invasion of Russia, the US's devastating mistranslation to Japan, Napoleon's rash execution, and the catastrophic Treaty of Versailles that set the stage for World War II! Which do you think was the biggest? Share in the comments.
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re looking at the biggest blunders made by world leaders and political figures that had significant historical consequences for their nations and across the globe.
Russia Selling Alaska
In the 1700s, Russian citizens arrived in Alaska, primarily as fur trappers, later setting up a colony. However, by the 1850s, the local sea otter population was nearly gone. Russia had further issues due to the Crimean War. Plus, there was the threat of gold being found in Alaska, as the region was difficult to defend. So Emperor Alexander II negotiated with the US to sell Alaska. Due to the American Civil War taking over the government's attention, the deal wasn’t officially struck until 1867, when they paid Russia $7.2 million, around $154 million in 2025. Alexander was proved right when gold was found in Alaska in the late 1890s, followed by oil in 1968. However, it also meant losing a lot of money.
Charles I's Ship Money
Believing he had a divine right to rule England after his ascension in 1625, Charles I began clashing with Parliament. In order to circumvent the politicians, he initiated Ship Money in 1628. This was a tax that allowed monarchs to force coastal areas to furnish ships during war. However, Charles wanted it every year regardless. Most people were furious with this display of power. John Hampden, a member of Parliament, refused to pay. In 1638, Hampden’s trial ruled that 7 of the 12 judges found the tax legal. Because 5 didn’t, Charles’s reputation was destroyed. This was a key factor in the English Civil Wars, which ended with Charles being executed in 1649 and England becoming a republic.
William Seward Takes a Trip
Running up to the 1860 Republican National Convention, there was one stand-out name that seemed destined to become the party’s presidential nominee, Seward. New York’s Senator and former governor was known for his anti-slavery views. However, this caused issues with some groups. In 1859, Seward took a 9-month trip to Europe, meeting Queen Victoria, and the Middle East. When he returned to the US, he was blamed for inspiring abolitionist John Brown’s raid in Harpers Ferry, Virginia, which ended with his execution. At the Convention, Seward dominated the first ballot. But by the second, delegates began switching to Abraham Lincoln, closing the gap. In the end, Lincoln won the nomination and later the presidency, leading to the Civil War and the Union’s victory in 1865.
Guadeloupe Conference: West Backs Khomeini
In January 1979, France’s President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, US President Jimmy Carter, Chancellor of West Germany Helmut Schmidt, and British Prime Minister James Callaghan met in Guadeloupe to discuss global issues. One of the main topics was the Iranian Revolution, which had been going on for a year, with the seeds sown decades ago. The Western leaders decided not to help Iran’s monarch, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, believing the situation would get worse. A month later, Pahlavi, who’d left the country following the conference, abolished the monarchy. This enabled Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini to take control, who soon proved he wasn’t an ally of the West as he supported the Iran hostage crisis at the US Embassy, even calling the country the “Great Satan.”
Napoleon Executing the Duke of Enghien
In 1804, shortly before he became Emperor of France but still the First Consul of the French Republic, Napoleon Bonaparte heard about a conspiracy of royalists looking to reestablish the monarchy. This caused him to issue the arrest of Louis Antoine, the Duke of Enghien and a member of the House of Bourbon. However, there was no evidence Antoine was involved. Regardless, he was executed. This caused shockwaves across global royal families, leading Russia to backtrack on potential peace with Napoleon and siding against France alongside Austria and Britain. The Antoine incident severely dented Napoleon’s reputation, making his rule appear more tyrannical. This caused a loss of support for France and his final defeat in 1815.
Philip II Handing the Spanish Armada to the 7th Duke of Medina Sidonia
If you planned a mass naval invasion of a country, you’d give the responsibility to an experienced and decorated officer. However, that wasn’t the direction Philip II of Spain took. After Mary, Queen of Scots, was executed in 1587, Philip sought to overthrow England’s Queen Elizabeth I to restore Catholicism in the Protestant country. So in 1588, he initiated the Spanish Armada, a fleet to invade the country. Philip entrusted its leadership to Alonso de Guzmán y Sotomayor, 7th Duke of Medina Sidonia. However, he had no military experience on land or sea. This, mixed with bad weather, poor communication, and disease spreading, allowed the English navy to destroy the fleet.
Treaty of Versailles Harsh Terms
Following the armistice in 1918 ending World War One, the Treaty of Versailles was signed in 1919. The document declared Germany was seen as the main instigator of the war. As such, they received severe punishment. From 1921, Germany had to pay the Allies around $33 billion in reparations, nearly $582 billion in 2025. This had a devastating impact on Germany’s economy, exacerbated by the Great Depression. The treaty also carved up the German Empire's territories and forced them to demilitarize. The harshness of the treaty, which angered German citizens, is believed to have been a key instigator in Adolf Hitler’s rise to power, sparking World War 2.
Atahualpa Getting Intoxicated
In 1532, following a civil war, Atahualpa became the monarch of the Inca Empire, one of the most powerful to have existed. That same year, Spain began its conquest of Peru and the Incan Empire. One of the leaders of the conquest, Francisco Pizarro, invited Atahualpa to a meeting. However, according to some accounts, the monarch had been drinking heavily during the journey. When he met with Friar Vincente de Valverde, Atahualpa threw his religious book back at him, causing Valverde to call for Pizarro, who had his soldiers hiding, to attack. With the element of surprise and advanced weaponry, the Spanish destroyed Atahualpa’s army without losing a soldier. They captured Atahualpa, leading to his execution and essentially the end of the Inca Empire.
US's Devastating Mistranslation
In 1945, US President Harry S. Truman, UK Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and Chairman of China Chiang Kai-shek issued the Potsdam Declaration to request Japan surrender from World War Two. If the country didn’t, they would experience “prompt and utter destruction.” After discussion, Japanese officials released a statement with the phrase “mokusatsu,” which is made from words for “silent” and “killing.” The US took this as officials rejecting or ignoring the request. They proceeded to deploy atomic explosives in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, obliterating infrastructure and taking the lives of tens of thousands. Japan soon surrendered. Researchers later found that “mokusatsu” could have an alternate meaning. It could also have meant to withhold comment while they contemplated the declaration.
Hitler’s Invasion of Russia
In 1939, Joseph Stalin’s Soviet Union signed a non-aggression pact with Germany, with plans for the two nations to divide Eastern Europe between them. However, with competing political ideologies, the relationship rapidly changed as Germany began running rampant across Europe. In 1941, Hitler issued Operation Barbarossa, an invasion of Russia, tearing up their pact. However, it didn’t go to plan when they faced a massive army, harsh weather, and brutal tactics. Losses on both sides mounted into the millions. Germany had spread itself too thin by facing massive battles on two fronts. The lack of progress caused former Axis nations to defect to the Allies as Germany lost momentum and eventually the war.
What other influential political mistakes did we miss from the video? General Pickett’s charge during the Battle of Gettysburg? The Austrian army committing mass friendly fire during the Battle of Karánsebes? Or something else? Let us know below.
Russia Selling Alaska
In the 1700s, Russian citizens arrived in Alaska, primarily as fur trappers, later setting up a colony. However, by the 1850s, the local sea otter population was nearly gone. Russia had further issues due to the Crimean War. Plus, there was the threat of gold being found in Alaska, as the region was difficult to defend. So Emperor Alexander II negotiated with the US to sell Alaska. Due to the American Civil War taking over the government's attention, the deal wasn’t officially struck until 1867, when they paid Russia $7.2 million, around $154 million in 2025. Alexander was proved right when gold was found in Alaska in the late 1890s, followed by oil in 1968. However, it also meant losing a lot of money.
Charles I's Ship Money
Believing he had a divine right to rule England after his ascension in 1625, Charles I began clashing with Parliament. In order to circumvent the politicians, he initiated Ship Money in 1628. This was a tax that allowed monarchs to force coastal areas to furnish ships during war. However, Charles wanted it every year regardless. Most people were furious with this display of power. John Hampden, a member of Parliament, refused to pay. In 1638, Hampden’s trial ruled that 7 of the 12 judges found the tax legal. Because 5 didn’t, Charles’s reputation was destroyed. This was a key factor in the English Civil Wars, which ended with Charles being executed in 1649 and England becoming a republic.
William Seward Takes a Trip
Running up to the 1860 Republican National Convention, there was one stand-out name that seemed destined to become the party’s presidential nominee, Seward. New York’s Senator and former governor was known for his anti-slavery views. However, this caused issues with some groups. In 1859, Seward took a 9-month trip to Europe, meeting Queen Victoria, and the Middle East. When he returned to the US, he was blamed for inspiring abolitionist John Brown’s raid in Harpers Ferry, Virginia, which ended with his execution. At the Convention, Seward dominated the first ballot. But by the second, delegates began switching to Abraham Lincoln, closing the gap. In the end, Lincoln won the nomination and later the presidency, leading to the Civil War and the Union’s victory in 1865.
Guadeloupe Conference: West Backs Khomeini
In January 1979, France’s President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, US President Jimmy Carter, Chancellor of West Germany Helmut Schmidt, and British Prime Minister James Callaghan met in Guadeloupe to discuss global issues. One of the main topics was the Iranian Revolution, which had been going on for a year, with the seeds sown decades ago. The Western leaders decided not to help Iran’s monarch, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, believing the situation would get worse. A month later, Pahlavi, who’d left the country following the conference, abolished the monarchy. This enabled Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini to take control, who soon proved he wasn’t an ally of the West as he supported the Iran hostage crisis at the US Embassy, even calling the country the “Great Satan.”
Napoleon Executing the Duke of Enghien
In 1804, shortly before he became Emperor of France but still the First Consul of the French Republic, Napoleon Bonaparte heard about a conspiracy of royalists looking to reestablish the monarchy. This caused him to issue the arrest of Louis Antoine, the Duke of Enghien and a member of the House of Bourbon. However, there was no evidence Antoine was involved. Regardless, he was executed. This caused shockwaves across global royal families, leading Russia to backtrack on potential peace with Napoleon and siding against France alongside Austria and Britain. The Antoine incident severely dented Napoleon’s reputation, making his rule appear more tyrannical. This caused a loss of support for France and his final defeat in 1815.
Philip II Handing the Spanish Armada to the 7th Duke of Medina Sidonia
If you planned a mass naval invasion of a country, you’d give the responsibility to an experienced and decorated officer. However, that wasn’t the direction Philip II of Spain took. After Mary, Queen of Scots, was executed in 1587, Philip sought to overthrow England’s Queen Elizabeth I to restore Catholicism in the Protestant country. So in 1588, he initiated the Spanish Armada, a fleet to invade the country. Philip entrusted its leadership to Alonso de Guzmán y Sotomayor, 7th Duke of Medina Sidonia. However, he had no military experience on land or sea. This, mixed with bad weather, poor communication, and disease spreading, allowed the English navy to destroy the fleet.
Treaty of Versailles Harsh Terms
Following the armistice in 1918 ending World War One, the Treaty of Versailles was signed in 1919. The document declared Germany was seen as the main instigator of the war. As such, they received severe punishment. From 1921, Germany had to pay the Allies around $33 billion in reparations, nearly $582 billion in 2025. This had a devastating impact on Germany’s economy, exacerbated by the Great Depression. The treaty also carved up the German Empire's territories and forced them to demilitarize. The harshness of the treaty, which angered German citizens, is believed to have been a key instigator in Adolf Hitler’s rise to power, sparking World War 2.
Atahualpa Getting Intoxicated
In 1532, following a civil war, Atahualpa became the monarch of the Inca Empire, one of the most powerful to have existed. That same year, Spain began its conquest of Peru and the Incan Empire. One of the leaders of the conquest, Francisco Pizarro, invited Atahualpa to a meeting. However, according to some accounts, the monarch had been drinking heavily during the journey. When he met with Friar Vincente de Valverde, Atahualpa threw his religious book back at him, causing Valverde to call for Pizarro, who had his soldiers hiding, to attack. With the element of surprise and advanced weaponry, the Spanish destroyed Atahualpa’s army without losing a soldier. They captured Atahualpa, leading to his execution and essentially the end of the Inca Empire.
US's Devastating Mistranslation
In 1945, US President Harry S. Truman, UK Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and Chairman of China Chiang Kai-shek issued the Potsdam Declaration to request Japan surrender from World War Two. If the country didn’t, they would experience “prompt and utter destruction.” After discussion, Japanese officials released a statement with the phrase “mokusatsu,” which is made from words for “silent” and “killing.” The US took this as officials rejecting or ignoring the request. They proceeded to deploy atomic explosives in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, obliterating infrastructure and taking the lives of tens of thousands. Japan soon surrendered. Researchers later found that “mokusatsu” could have an alternate meaning. It could also have meant to withhold comment while they contemplated the declaration.
Hitler’s Invasion of Russia
In 1939, Joseph Stalin’s Soviet Union signed a non-aggression pact with Germany, with plans for the two nations to divide Eastern Europe between them. However, with competing political ideologies, the relationship rapidly changed as Germany began running rampant across Europe. In 1941, Hitler issued Operation Barbarossa, an invasion of Russia, tearing up their pact. However, it didn’t go to plan when they faced a massive army, harsh weather, and brutal tactics. Losses on both sides mounted into the millions. Germany had spread itself too thin by facing massive battles on two fronts. The lack of progress caused former Axis nations to defect to the Allies as Germany lost momentum and eventually the war.
What other influential political mistakes did we miss from the video? General Pickett’s charge during the Battle of Gettysburg? The Austrian army committing mass friendly fire during the Battle of Karánsebes? Or something else? Let us know below.
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