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Great Leaders and their Transformation of Europe
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Peter the Great: The Petrine Reforms
Romeyn de Hooghe's etching of Battle of Narva on November 19, 1700 (1700s) displays the Sweden victory over Russia during the Great Northern War (1700-1721). This defeat became the motivating force behind Petrine reforms, in particular, those relating to the military. As a result of these reforms, they not only won the Great Northern War in 1721, but it provided them with the largest and strongest standing army in Europe, which in turn, transformed Russia into one of the Great European Powers. -
Frederick the Great: Creating a Formidable Military State
Right before the Battle of Leuthen, Frederick II addressed his generals with a speech that displayed his incredible leadership and devotion as a military commander. These qualities, in addition to his military tactics, were displayed before and during the Seven Years’ War. As a result of his military successes, Frederick II doubled Prussian territory and and left a legacy of devotion to Germany that set the example for leaders into the twentieth century.
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Napoleon Bonaparte: The Napoleonic Code
The Napoleonic Code
The Napoleonic Code (1804) was a law code for all of France to replace the patchwork system that was there before. It essentially affirmed the Enlightenment-inspired legal reforms that early French revolutionaries had sought. The Napoleonic Code was adopted throughout much of Europe, and even overseas; it remained in force even after Napoleon’s defeat. -
Queen Victoria: The Transformation of Britain
J.M.W. Turner's The Fighting Téméraire tugged to her last Berth to be broken (1838) is a representation of the past and the present-the transition between the old and the new worlds. This new world was dominated by the Industrial Revolution and is symbolized through the image of the tugboat, while the old world is symbolized through the image of the Termeraire. -
Otto von Bismarck: The Unification of the German States
On January 18, 1871, Bismarck called the heads of all the German states to Versailles in France. They gathered at the Hall of Mirrors to proclaim Prussia’s King William I, emperor of the new German Empire. It is at this time that they signed the Treaty of Versailles which made the decline of France obvious to the rest of the continent, and, at the same time, demonstrated the strength of a unified German empire.
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Winston Churchill: A Symbol of the Nation's Spirit
Churchill's ability to orate in his speech "We Will Fight on the Beaches" as well as his determination, continually influenced the general public—even in Britain’s darkest hour. He gave them hope, inspiration, and something to believe in. Churchill’s dedication to his country is what kept up the Britain’s morale, inspired them and ultimately led them all to victory. He united the people to a remarkable and united war effort.
