Individuals Who Changed the World

Top Five Secular People

Top Five Religious People

Most Ruthless Person

Albert EinsteinAlbert Einstein

Honorable Mention

• a German-born theoretical physicist. Einstein's work is also known for its influence on the philosophy of science.

• He developed the general theory of relativity, one of the two pillars of modern physics.

• Einstein is best known in popular culture for his mass–energy equivalence formula E = mc2 (which has been dubbed "the world's most famous equation").

• He received the 1921 Nobel Prize in Physics for his "services to theoretical physics", in particular his discovery of the law of the photoelectric effect, a pivotal step in the evolution of quantum theory.

Galileo GalileiGalileo Galileian Italian physicist, mathematician,

astronomer, and philosopher who played a major role in the Scientific Revolution.

His achievements include improvements to the telescope and consequent

astronomical observations.

Galileo has been called the "father of modern observational astronomy," the

"father of modern physics," the "father of science,” and "the Father of Modern

Science."

Galileo challenged the Church and the geocentric theory. Due to his support of the heliocentric theory, he was tried by the Roman Catholic Inquisition, found

"vehemently suspect of heresy," forced to recant, and spent the rest of his life under

house arrest.Honorable Mention

Alexander the GreatAlexander the Great

King of Macedon who created one of the largest empires of the ancient world. In 334 BC, he overthrew the Persian King

Darius III and conquered the entirety of the Persian Empire. Alexander died in Babylon in 323 BC and a series of civil wars tore his

empire apart.

Alexander's legacy includes the cultural diffusion his conquests engendered. He founded some twenty cities that bore his

name, like Alexandria in Egypt.

Alexander's mix of Greek, Persian, Egyptian, and Indian culture resulted in a new

Hellenistic civilization. He is also the measure against which military leaders

compare themselves, and military academies throughout the world still teach his tactics.

HomeHonorable Mention

William Shakespeare, English dramatist and poet, was author of

the most widely admired and influential body of literature by any individual in the history of Western civilization. His work comprises 36 plays, 154 sonnets, and 2 narrative

poems.

His writings showcased an array of human emotions and situations that still influence theater and film today.

William ShakespeareWilliam Shakespeare

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John LockeJohn Locke

Enlightenment Thinker who wrote Two Treaties of Government

Natural Rights – Life, Liberty, and Property

Right to overthrow government if King does not protect Natural

Rights

Led to American and French Revolution

Christopher Christopher ColumbusColumbus

Discovered the New World

Led to Global Trade – Columbian Exchange

Spanish conquer South America – Aztec, Incas

Atlantic Ocean becomes major trade route – Sea based Empires

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Johann GutenbergJohann GutenbergHis invention of mechanical movable type

printing started the Printing Revolution and is widely regarded as the most

important event of the modern period.

It played a key role in the development of the Renaissance, Reformation and the

Scientific Revolution and laid the material basis for the modern knowledge-based

economy and the spread of learning to the masses.

Gutenberg's printing technology spread rapidly throughout Europe and later the world. His major work, the Gutenberg

Bible has been acclaimed for its high aesthetic and technical quality.

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Sir Issac NewtonSir Issac Newtonan English physicist, mathematician,

astronomer, natural philosopher, alchemist, and theologian.

Newton described universal gravitation and the three laws of

motion which dominated the scientific view of the physical universe for the

next three centuries.

Newton showed that the motions of objects on Earth and of celestial

bodies are governed by the same set of natural laws by demonstrating the

consistency between Kepler's laws of planetary motion and his theory of gravitation, thus removing the last

doubts about heliocentrism and advancing the scientific revolution.1 Home

Ivan the TerribleIvan the TerribleThe first ruler of Russia to assume the title of Tsar in 1547. During his rule he built a wall

around the city of Novgorod making its inhabitants prisoners in their own city.

Everyday between 500 to 1000 people were gathered from the city and were tortured and

killed in front of him and his son.

He was also responsible for the miscarriage of his daughter-in-law, whom he physically

abused for dressing up immodestly, and the death of his son, whom he accidentally struck with a pointed staff during the argument that

preceded after his daughter-in-laws miscarriage. He died in 1584 while playing

chess and is said to have been poisoned.

Honorable Mention

Mao ZedongMao Zedong

Communist Leader of China

Used policies of Great Leap Forward and Cultural Revolution

Cult of Personality

Suffered through Long March and later defeated Jiang Jieshi in Civil

War.

Home

Honorable Mention

Otto von Otto von BismarckBismarck

Prussian Chancellor who united Germany using “Blood and Iron”

Nationalist Leader

Changed the Balance of Power in Europe and began militarism in

Europe

Led to WWI

Honorable Mention

Hernando Hernando CortesCortes

Spanish Conquistador who led an expedition that caused the fall of

the Aztec Empire and brought large portions of mainland Mexico under

the rule of the King of Castile in the early 16th century.

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NapoleonNapoleon

French General who led a coup d’etat and used Military tactics to

expand Napoleonic Empire

Utilized Enlightenment ideals to guide his rule – Napoleonic Law

Code, schools, national bank, etc.

Became a harsh dictator

Helped to spur Nationalism throughout France and Europe.

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Genghis KhanGenghis Khan

United Mongols and conquered the largest land empire in history

Used fierce military tactics

Created Pax Mongolia – Peace along the Silk Road led to

increased global trade

3

Adolph HitlerAdolph HitlerAn Austrian-born German politician and

the leader of the Nazi Party. He became the head of state, or Führer, ruling the country

as an absolute dictator of Germany.

He promoted German nationalism, anti-semitism, and anti-communism with propaganda and a cult of personality.

His rearmament of Germany led to the 1939 invasion of Poland and the outbreak of

World War II in Europe. By 1945, Allied armies had invaded German-held Europe

from all sides. However, Nazi forces engaged in the systematic murder of as

many as 17 million civilians, an estimated six million of whom were Jews targeted in

the Holocaust. 2

Joseph StalinJoseph Stalin

Communist Leader of Soviet Union

Used policies of Collectivization and Five-Year Plans to build Soviet

military and industry

Cult of Personality

Helped to start Cold War – no elections in Eastern Europe, support

of North Korea, and blockade of Berlin

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NanakNanak

Honorable Mention

Founder of Sikhism

Lao-TzuLao-Tzu

Honorable Mention

Founder of Daoism

Martin LutherMartin Luther

Wrote 95 Theses

Challenged Roman Catholic Church (Sale of Indulgences) and started the

Protestant Reformation

Led to religious split in Europe (War, Inquisition, search for

religious freedom)

Other Protestant faiths developed (Calvinist, Anglican)

Honorable Mention

MosesMosesA religious leader, lawgiver and

prophet, to whom the authorship of the Torah is traditionally attributed. He is the most important prophet in Judaism, and is also considered an

important prophet in Christianity and Islam.

After killing an Egyptian slave-master, Moses fled across the Red Sea to Midian where he encountered the

God of Israel in the form of a "burning bush“ and later received the

Ten Commandments.

After 40 years of wandering in the desert, Moses died within sight of the

Promised Land. 5

ConfuciusConfucius

Chinese thinker and social philosopher, whose teachings and philosophy have deeply influenced

Chinese, Korean, Japanese, and Vietnamese thought and life.

His major works were called the Analects of Confucius and major ideas focused around the five relationships.

(Parent to Child, Ruler to Subject, Husband to Wife, Old to Young, and

Friend to Friend)4

Siddhartha GuatamaSiddhartha GuatamaKnown as the Buddha following his own

personal enlightenment. He used this newly acquired knowledge to instruct others in his faith to reach Nirvana, which is the end of all suffering.

Gautama, now Buddha, then became a teacher and instructed monks and other followers in the ways of Nirvana, or the

shedding of suffering, and the pathway to enlightenment, among many other

lessons and concepts.

Buddha was very clear to emphasize that he was not a god, but rather an

enlightened man. Buddhism is the fourth largest organized religion in the world

today. 3

Jesus ChristJesus ChristThe central figure of Christianity, which views Jesus as the Messiah

foretold in the Old Testament. Most Christians believe him to be the Son

of God.

The theme of Jesus' teachings was that of repentance, unconditional

love, forgiveness of sin, grace, and the coming of the Kingdom of God.

Christianity spread throughout the Roman Empire under a version

known as Nicene Christianity and became the state religion under

Theodosius I. Over the centuries, it spread to most of Europe, and

around the world.2

MuhammadMuhammadThe founder of the religion of Islam

and is regarded by Muslims as a messenger and prophet of God (All hā ),

the greatest law-bearer in a series of Islamic prophets and by most Muslims

the last prophet as taught by the Qur'an.

Muslims thus consider him the restorer of an uncorrupted original

monotheistic faith (isl mā ) of Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and

other prophets.

He was also active as a diplomat, merchant, philosopher, orator,

legislator, reformer, military general, and, according to Muslim belief, an

agent of divine action. 1Home

Louis XIVLouis XIV

Absolute King of France

Claimed to rule through Divine Right

Taxed people and spent money on himself - Art, Palace of Versailles,

War, etc

France later becomes bankrupt, which sparks French Revolution

under the rule of Louis XVI

John LockeJohn Locke

Enlightenment Thinker who wrote Two Treaties of Government

Natural Rights – Life, Liberty, and Property

Right to overthrow government if King does not protect Natural

Rights

Led to American and French Revolution

Otto von Otto von BismarckBismarck

Prussian Chancellor who united Germany using “Blood and Iron”

Nationalist Leader

Changed the Balance of Power in Europe and began militarism in

Europe

Led to WWI

Karl MarxKarl Marx

Wrote Communist Manifesto

Challenged Laissez-Faire Capitalism

Led to Vladimir Lenin and Russian Communist Revolution

Led to Cold War between Soviet Union and USA 1947-1991

GandhiGandhiThe political and spiritual leader of

India during the Indian independence movement.

He pioneered satyagraha—resistance to tyranny through mass civil

disobedience, a philosophy firmly founded upon ahimsa or total

nonviolence. (Salt March, Homespun Movement, Quit India)

Gandhi is commonly known around the world as Mahatma Gandhi or

"Great Soul."

Emperor MeijiEmperor Meiji

Emperor of Japan – came to power after Commodore Matthew Perry ended Tokugawa isolation

Modernized Japan – influenced by United States and Europe

Led to Japan becoming an Imperial power in the East and the

invasion of Manchuria and start of WWII (Pearl Harbor)

William Shakespeare, English dramatist and poet, was author of

the most widely admired and influential body of literature by any individual in the history of Western civilization. His work comprises 36 plays, 154 sonnets, and 2 narrative

poems.

His writings showcased an array of human emotions and situations that still influence theater and film today.

William ShakespeareWilliam Shakespeare

Charles DarwinCharles Darwin

Charles Darwin achieved lasting fame by producing considerable evidence that species originated through evolutionary change, at the

same time proposing the scientific theory that natural

selection is the mechanism by which such change occurs. This

theory is now considered a cornerstone of biology.

John LockeJohn LockeMuhammadMuhammad

MuhammadMuhammad Louis XIVLouis XIV

John LockeJohn LockeSiddhartha GuatamaSiddhartha Guatama

Jesus ChristJesus Christ Louis XIVLouis XIV

Emperor MeijiEmperor MeijiJesus ChristJesus Christ

Sir Isaac NewtonSir Isaac Newton Genghis KhanGenghis Khan

Genghis KhanGenghis KhanKarl MarxKarl Marx

Christopher ColumbusChristopher Columbus Otto von BismarckOtto von Bismarck

Christopher ColumbusChristopher Columbus Sir Isaac NewtonSir Isaac Newton

GandhiGandhiOtto von BismarckOtto von Bismarck

Martin LutherMartin Luther NapoleonNapoleon

Martin LutherMartin Luther Johann GutenbergJohann Gutenberg

Joseph StalinJoseph StalinNapoleonNapoleon

ConfuciusConfucius Joseph StalinJoseph Stalin

Adolph HitlerAdolph HitlerWilliam ShakespeareWilliam Shakespeare

William ShakespeareWilliam Shakespeare Siddhartha GuatamaSiddhartha Guatama

Johann GutenbergJohann Gutenberg Adolph HitlerAdolph Hitler

Galileo GalileiGalileo Galilei ConfuciusConfucius