Worst Leaders

[Wamitoria]

1. George W. Bush
2. Saddam Hussein
3. Adolf Hitler
4. Zia Ul-Haq
5. Ronald Reagan
6. Pol Pot
7. Mullah Omar
8. Augusto Pinochet
9. Francisco Franco
10. Reza Shah Pahlevi

Pinochet? WTF? Sure, the man was a monster, but he was small beans compared to other Latin American dictators. Efraín Ríos Montt, Fidel Castro, Anastasio Somoza Debayle, Maximiliano Hernández Martínez, Rafael Trujillo, the Duvaliers, and Francisco Solano López all killed more. WAY more.

I wouldn't say that Fidel was worse than Pinochet. They were equal at best.

[Verdeguay]

I wouldn't say that Fidel was worse than Pinochet. They were equal at best.

I mean worse in terms of body count. And as bad as Pinochet was, at least people could (and did) leave Chile. That being said, all dictators are bad, regardless of what their ideology is.

[Eskandapolis]

There have been some real doozies. Lately, I think some of the Central Asian leaders are definitely in the running. The Uzbeki President is really awful and seems to enjoy boiling people to death which is pretty brutal. Other fellows in that region are about as bad but far more insane. Who was that guy who made an ice sculpture of himself in the desert and spends large amounts of money keeping it frozen while his people are broke? I think he also made his own religion or something. That guy has to at least be in the top five.

Africa always represents herself pretty well in the bad leader department. East Africa has had some rough characters. I just read another book on Idi Amin Dada of Uganda. I dont know that he was the worst tyrant ever but he was an odd bird and pretty solidly established as an uber-tyrant.

The Khmer Rouge were bad but for some reason I fall a little short of calling Pol Pot a tyrant because he seems to have led a simple personal life. He seemed to have ruled by making fotune cookie or bumper sticker sayings from a simple hut. Of course the suffering he caused was A game stuff.

Caligula and Nero will always make the list.

Mao and Stalin were pretty bad. Mao probably killed more people but Stalin's paranoia probably puts him ahead of Mao. Plus I bet Maos reeducation camps were not as bad as Stalin's gulags.

Both of the Kims of North Korea are definitely in the top 5. The second one is worse because the first one arguably kinda had a good reason to be communist. By being commie he could get help from his very powerful neighbors of China and USSR instead of being hostile to them. The other Kim was commie by choice. Of course, neither has an excuse for their awful human rights records that are probably placing them as likely candidates for the top spots of biggest tyrants.

Sorry, but the OP's suggestion that Kaiser Wilhelm is in the top 10 is just wierd. He was not all that bad. WWI was all that bad but he was not.

Various Roman Catholic leaders in charge of Inquisitions and the killing of heretics, witches, etc. were A gamers too and should not be forgotten in the list of infamous world leaders.

Saddam was as bad as any run of the mill tyrant could be and thankfully he is gone. He had ok economic leanings but these were balanced out by his love of making war.

To be a true A list tyrant you need to do incarcerate, torture and kill lots of people because of their political views, political aspirations, religious conscience, or race. That is nonnegotiable. In addition you must fulfill as many of the following as possible (don't feel hemmed in by this a to z list. Get creative and pioneer new realms of cruelty and oppression. Bonus points for creativity.):
a. Eat human flesh for reasons other than starvation.
b. Be very wealthy at the taxpayer's expense
c. Be very wealthy at the bribepayer's expense.
d. Supress intellectual activity
e. Supress scientific theories that are rather self-evident.
f. Treat pictures of yourself as sacred relics and have your picture everywhere.
g. Punish people for mistreating newspapers that have your picture on them.
h. Have a lavish lifestyle when the typical family is starving or freezing.
i. Have show trials
j. Have your own media monopoly.
k. Have successfully turned a rich or growing economy into a wrecked economy.
l. Spend more on foreign military aid than social benefits.
m. Attack your neighbors
n. Hate Israel and the USA.
o. Fund or otehrwise give comfort to terrorists.
p. Have a lot of self awarded medals.
q. Have a pretend religion.
r. Make up a ridiculous religion or spiritual movement and force others to conform to your new religion
s. Arrest a lot of people on the basis of economic sabotage when your wierd economic policies fail.
t. Kill your relatives.
u. Arrest torture and kill relatives of prisoners or defectors just for being related to them.
v. Have extermination camps
w. Deny all allegations of wrongdoing.
x. If you are ousted never face trial or die fighting in the defense of your country.
y. Intrude deeply into your people's romantic and familial lives by determining if and when they may marry, how many children they must have, and outkawing heterosexual activity without a license.
z. Rape children as a matter of governmental policy or personal preference.

z+1. Label yourself as god like
z+2. Declare yourself President for Life, and if possible, do this to help your offspring
z+3. Say you have found the way to make Socialism/Communism better
z+4. Promote a new constitution
z+3. Kill ethnic or religious groups for complotting against you
z+4. Ban any kind of real progress while investigating stem cells or nuclear bombs
z+5. Attempting several coup d'etats when not in power
z+6. Having 38 government positions, yourself
z+7. Expropiate and use the expropiated lands as forced labour camps
z+8. Killing large portions of your population in several civil wars

Let's add some more
z+9 winning the elections by more than 98%
z+10 SVietnam-style electionssee how
z+11 Unconditional support to the US or its main enemy, you may change sides
z+12 Create opposition parties that do not play the role of an opposition party
z+13 Create opposition parties that are too extreme to oppose you
z+14 Apply a constitutional ban on protests, while approving marches of paid "supporters"
z+15 Add an amendment to the Constitution regulating hairstyle and the dress codes
z+16 Closing the frontiers so no one can escape, with the excuse of your neighbours being to jealous

[Wamitoria]

z+1. Label yourself as god like
z+2. Declare yourself President for Life, and if possible, do this to help your offspring
z+3. Say you have found the way to make Socialism/Communism better
z+4. Promote a new constitution
z+3. Kill ethnic or religious groups for complotting against you
z+4. Ban any kind of real progress while investigating stem cells or nuclear bombs
z+5. Attempting several coup d'etats when not in power
z+6. Having 38 government positions, yourself
z+7. Expropiate and use the expropiated lands as forced labour camps
z+8. Killing large portions of your population in several civil wars

Let's add some more
z+9 winning the elections by more than 98%
z+10 SVietnam-style electionssee how
z+11 Unconditional support to the US or its main enemy, you may change sides
z+12 Create opposition parties that do not play the role of an opposition party
z+13 Create opposition parties that are too extreme to oppose you
z+14 Apply a constitutional ban on protests, while approving marches of paid "supporters"
z+15 Add an amendment to the Constitution regulating hairstyle and the dress codes
z+16 Closing the frontiers so no one can escape, with the excuse of your neighbours being to jealous

z+17 Giant televisions in public areas that frequently broadcast your speeches.

[British Prussia]

Well this list really doesn't mean the worst leaders... They're more like the evil kind... I mean sting leaders would purge opposition and fight for resources, bad leaders would sorta just sit around, do nothing, let their nation be invaded...

[Fedeledland]

1. Iosif Stalin - the greatest mass-murderer in history
2. Adolf Hitler - the second greatest mass-murderer
3. Mao Tze-Dong - his economic reforms brought the death to millions of Chinese
4. Pol Pot - see above
5. G. Bush - Killed millions of people for oil
6. Idi Amin Dada - killed thousands of people in ruthless, barbaric ways and desestabilized Uganda
7. Emperor Caligula - I, CALIGULA, AM A GOD! I ONLY HAD TO NOD AND ALL YOUR THROATS WILL BE CUT! and ROME IS JUST A CITY OF NECKS WAITING FOR ME TO CHOP!
8. Louis XVI of France - not bloody or violent, but an extremely incompetent and absolutist monarch that caused the death of thousands.
9. Tsar Nicholas II of Russia - see above
10.Emperor Xuanzong of Tang - see above

And really, considering Kaiser Wilihem II, Hirohito and Vlad as bad leaders? Come on!

[Verdeguay]

1. Iosif Stalin - the greatest mass-murderer in history
2. Adolf Hitler - the second greatest mass-murderer
3. Mao Tze-Dong - his economic reforms brought the death to millions of Chinese
4. Pol Pot - see above
5. G. Bush - Killed millions of people for oil
6. Idi Amin Dada - killed thousands of people in ruthless, barbaric ways and desestabilized Uganda
7. Emperor Caligula - I, CALIGULA, AM A GOD! I ONLY HAD TO NOD AND ALL YOUR THROATS WILL BE CUT! and ROME IS JUST A CITY OF NECKS WAITING FOR ME TO CHOP!
8. Louis XVI of France - not bloody or violent, but an extremely incompetent and absolutist monarch that caused the death of thousands.
9. Tsar Nicholas II of Russia - see above
10.Emperor Xuanzong of Tang - see above

And really, considering Kaiser Wilihem II, Hirohito and Vlad as bad leaders? Come on!

Unlike Louis XVI, Nicholas II was bloody and violent. He was a saint compared to the Bolsheviks, but he was still a mass murdering tyrant and all-around asshole. His beard was pretty spiffy, though.

[Fedeledland]

1. Iosif Stalin - the greatest mass-murderer in history
2. Adolf Hitler - the second greatest mass-murderer
3. Mao Tze-Dong - his economic reforms brought the death to millions of Chinese
4. Pol Pot - see above
5. G. Bush - Killed millions of people for oil
6. Idi Amin Dada - killed thousands of people in ruthless, barbaric ways and desestabilized Uganda
7. Emperor Caligula - I, CALIGULA, AM A GOD! I ONLY HAD TO NOD AND ALL YOUR THROATS WILL BE CUT! and ROME IS JUST A CITY OF NECKS WAITING FOR ME TO CHOP!
8. Louis XVI of France - not bloody or violent, but an extremely incompetent and absolutist monarch that caused the death of thousands.
9. Tsar Nicholas II of Russia - see above
10.Emperor Xuanzong of Tang - see above

And really, considering Kaiser Wilihem II, Hirohito and Vlad as bad leaders? Come on!

Unlike Louis XVI, Nicholas II was bloody and violent. He was a saint compared to the Bolsheviks, but he was still a mass murdering tyrant and all-around asshole. His beard was pretty spiffy, though.

He was? Well, I didn't know that.

[Eskandapolis]

Well this list really doesn't mean the worst leaders... They're more like the evil kind... I mean sting leaders would purge opposition and fight for resources, bad leaders would sorta just sit around, do nothing, let their nation be invaded...

I put one of those on my list, that Somali guy, he really fucked up an already f-upped state

[Verdeguay]

Well this list really doesn't mean the worst leaders... They're more like the evil kind... I mean sting leaders would purge opposition and fight for resources, bad leaders would sorta just sit around, do nothing, let their nation be invaded...

I put one of those on my list, that Somali guy, he really fucked up an already f-upped state

Siad Barre?

[Ravenvalles]

I can only think of three that would make the worst list
1.Pol Pot
2.Nero
3.Jean Kambanda

[Orlkjestad]

10. Mao Zedong
9. Joseph Stalin
8. Adolf Hitler
7. Abraham Lincoln
6. Nelson Mandela
5. Theodore Roosevelt
4. Lyndon Johnson
3. Franklin D. Roosevelt
2. Jimmy Carter
1. Barack Obama

Perhaps you need to check the history books one more time? By far, Barack Obama is NOT the worst.

[Fedeledland]

Why does everyone put Nero? He was not THAT bad. Yes, he was a maniac and an Anti-Christian, but many later Roman emperors were equally incompetent.

[Eskandapolis]

I put one of those on my list, that Somali guy, he really fucked up an already f-upped state

Siad Barre?

Yes, and every other guy who ruled somalia in the last 2 decades also deserve a place in the list

[British Prussia]

1. Iosif Stalin - the greatest mass-murderer in history
2. Adolf Hitler - the second greatest mass-murderer
3. Mao Tze-Dong - his economic reforms brought the death to millions of Chinese
4. Pol Pot - see above
5. G. Bush - Killed millions of people for oil
6. Idi Amin Dada - killed thousands of people in ruthless, barbaric ways and desestabilized Uganda
7. Emperor Caligula - I, CALIGULA, AM A GOD! I ONLY HAD TO NOD AND ALL YOUR THROATS WILL BE CUT! and ROME IS JUST A CITY OF NECKS WAITING FOR ME TO CHOP!
8. Louis XVI of France - not bloody or violent, but an extremely incompetent and absolutist monarch that caused the death of thousands.
9. Tsar Nicholas II of Russia - see above
10.Emperor Xuanzong of Tang - see above

And really, considering Kaiser Wilihem II, Hirohito and Vlad as bad leaders? Come on!

Unlike Louis XVI, Nicholas II was bloody and violent. He was a saint compared to the Bolsheviks, but he was still a mass murdering tyrant and all-around asshole. His beard was pretty spiffy, though.

He was protecting the monarchy from extremists... I would'nt say he's an asshole, more of a closed minded person. Normally under these circumstances a ruler would suppress the extremists, but even at that time, constitutional reform was needed at that time. Nicholas II did very well after 1905 until the WWI. Tore up the Russian economy, showed the inefficiency of it.

Also Wilhelm II was one of the most incompetent leaders of all time making him one of the worst. It wasn't because he wanted WWI (everyone did) but it was how he destroyed the bismarkian system of alliances, the way he pissed off GB for no real gain before WWI. And as a monarch, he gave people concessions, although that may sound good to the people, it really undid him during the war...

[Eskandapolis]

Why does everyone put Nero? He was not THAT bad. Yes, he was a maniac and an Anti-Christian, but many later Roman emperors were equally incompetent.

Yeah, Calligula was at least a SOB as Nero, Julian was more intolerant and Claudius was a total inept

[South Norwega]

1. Iosif Stalin - the greatest mass-murderer in history
2. Adolf Hitler - the second greatest mass-murderer

I'd dispute this.

Stalin is responsible for the deaths of up to around 20 million people. This means making him responsible for the holodomor and all that.

Adolf Hitler was directly responsible for the European portion of World War II.

5.5 million poles. 7 million Germans. 20 million in the Soviet Union. Over 3 million in the rest of Europe.

[Eskandapolis]

1. Iosif Stalin - the greatest mass-murderer in history
2. Adolf Hitler - the second greatest mass-murderer

I'd dispute this.

Stalin is responsible for the deaths of up to around 20 million people. This means making him responsible for the holodomor and all that.

Adolf Hitler was directly responsible for the European portion of World War II.

5.5 million poles. 7 million Germans. 20 million in the Soviet Union. Over 3 million in the rest of Europe.

Where's Mao in all this?

[South Norwega]

I'd dispute this.

Stalin is responsible for the deaths of up to around 20 million people. This means making him responsible for the holodomor and all that.

Adolf Hitler was directly responsible for the European portion of World War II.

5.5 million poles. 7 million Germans. 20 million in the Soviet Union. Over 3 million in the rest of Europe.

Where's Mao in all this?

Mao was quite silly, blinded by revolutionary fervour, but mass killing wasn't all that much of his intent. And he was sensible enough to not have one of the Gang of Four succeed him.

[Eskandapolis]

Where's Mao in all this?

Mao was quite silly, blinded by revolutionary fervour, but mass killing wasn't all that much of his intent. And he was sensible enough to not have one of the Gang of Four succeed him.

All this also applies for Hitler

[South Norwega]

Mao was quite silly, blinded by revolutionary fervour, but mass killing wasn't all that much of his intent. And he was sensible enough to not have one of the Gang of Four succeed him.

All this also applies for Hitler

No it doesn't.

Mass killing was a large part of Hitler's plan. The final solution, the holocaust, these were presaged by events like the Kristallnacht or whatever it was. Mao Zedong contained his excesses to one country, whilst Hitler exported them.

Saying all that applies to Hitler is a statement ignorant of history.

[Eskandapolis]

All this also applies for Hitler

No it doesn't.

Mass killing was a large part of Hitler's plan. The final solution, the holocaust, these were presaged by events like the Kristallnacht or whatever it was. Mao Zedong contained his excesses to one country, whilst Hitler exported them.

Saying all that applies to Hitler is a statement ignorant of history.

However, only less than 8 million deads can be attributed to planned murders, the rest were part of the war, Hitler didnt have much of a political vision, and the country was ruled by Himmler, Goering and a few others. He had no idea WW2 would turn into that. Oh no, I'm sure Mao's tortures had nothing to do with provoking deaths, terrorism either, and those massive public excecutions. And talking about exporting, Chinese forces fought against the UN troops in Korea, and other conflicts the URSS was into
" Mao himself claimed that a total of 700,000 people were executed during the years 1949–53.However, because there was a policy to select "at least one landlord, and usually several, in virtually every village for public execution",the number of deaths range between 2 million and 5 million. In addition, at least 1.5 million people perhaps as many as 4 to 6 million, were sent to "reform through labour" camps where many perished. Mao played a personal role in organizing the mass repressions and established a system of execution quotas, which were often exceeded. Nevertheless he defended these killings as necessary for the securing of power."
Plus the several deaths that can be attributed to the GLForward (officially 14 millions, estimated REAL deaths between 20 and 40)

[Ravea]

Benito Mussolini, for being a real-life cartoon character.

[Wamitoria]

Benito Mussolini, for being a real-life cartoon character.

That's not evil, that's lulzy.

[Laerod]

Despite what you may think you can't rule a leader the worst because he had people slaughtered cause most leaders in history did.

And?

and i'm not a Nazi Supporter but Hilter was actually one of the Greatest leaders in history dispite the fact that he is responsible for the death of millions.

He brought a crushed and broken country back together and led it to be a world superpower though it was only for a short period of time.

In twelve years, Hitler turned Germany into smoldering ruins. This is bad leadership. Momentary greatness, especially if it is an important step in the direction of ruin, does not excuse this.

and beings that he pretty much started world war 2 one could credit him with ending the Great Depression because WW2 is the only thing that ended the Great Depression if it wasn't for WW2 it probably would've lasted well into the 50's

No.

Off Topic:
Have you noticed that Mods ALWAYS write very long posts?

No, because this is not true.