Top 10 People from Europe Post-1945
1. Boris Yeltsin
2. Vladimir Putin
3. Charles De Gaulle
4. Nikita Khrushchev
5. Leonid Brezhnev
6. Aleksander Dubcek
7. Helmut Kohl
8. Vaclav Havel
9. Lech Walesa
10. Mikhail Gorbachev
- Boris Yeltsin was the popular elected president against Gorbachev, and a radical reform communist.
- 1931-2007
- Yeltsin allowed the democratic movement, declared independence from the Soviet Union, and advocated for anticommunism.
2. Vladimir Putin
- Vladimir Putin is a Russian president and known for his strongly promoted manly image.
- B.1952
- Putin brought back semi-authoritarian rule, revived nationalism, and expanded secret police.
3. Charles De Gaulle
- Charles De Gaulle was the French president and Prime Minister, and a strong nationalist.
- 1890-1970
- Charles De Gaulle didn’t like how much control the American’s had, so he withdrew the alliances with NATO and the Common Market, and made France develop nuclear weapons.
4. Nikita Khrushchev
- Nikita Khrushchev was a Soviet reformer, especially famous for his “secret speech” and leading de-Stalinization.
- 1894-1971
- Nikita Khrushchev was a major player in reforming, his secret speech made a major impact in Communist meetings, and made sure to refresh the government with new leaders.
5. Leonid Brezhnev
- Leonid Brezhnev was Nikita Krushchev’s successor, and supported Stalinism.
- 1906-1982
- Leonid Brezhnev led Russia to a short re-Stalinization and had Russia begin creating a stash of major war weapons.
6. Aleksander Dubcek
- Aleksander Dubcek was the president of the Czechoslovakian government and was Communist.
- 1921-1992
- Dubcek released a series of liberating reforms such as Prague Spring, and was know for “socialism with a human face.”
7. Helmut Kohl
- Helmut Kohl was Germany’s Chancellor during the cold war.
- B.1830
- Helmut Kohl is known for being one of the major leaders in German re-unification, and is also known for helping create the European Union.
8. Vaclav Havel
- Vaclav Havel was an artist turned revolutionary and was elected as the Czechoslavakian president.
- B.1936
- Havel was elected president after participating in the Velvet Revolution demonstrations.
9. Lech Walesa
- Lech Walesa was the President of Poland.
- B. 1943
- Lech Walesa was the leader of the solidarity movement, and was also awarded a Nobel peace prize
10. Mikhail Gorbachev
- Mikhail Gorbachev was the President of Russia from 1990-1991.
- B.1931
- Gorbachev’s reforms provided a lot more freedom than the Russian citizens had when they were under Stalin, he contributed to the collapse of communism in 1991, and was awarded a Nobel peace prize