DIRECTORY

The fallout of World War II left many nations devastated and divided. Colonialism crumbled, no longer compatible with prevailing liberal ideals, as many nations rose up behind revolutionary leaders. Brutal dictators also emerged to exert their power over newly independent nations.

The former Hollywood actor Ronald Reagan became president of the US in 1981. As an actor, he was president of the Screen Actors’ Guild from 1947 to 1952 and fought alleged Communist infiltration in the SAG. He joined the Republican Party in 1962, was elected governor of California in 1966, and was elected president in 1980. Just 69 days after taking office, he survived an assassination attempt. Reagan imposed far-reaching reforms to reduce taxes and government spending and invested heavily in the military. He also oversaw an economic resurgence in the US, gave financial aid to anti-Communist movements abroad, and pressured the Soviet Union into ending the Cold War.

A staunch Communist, Võ Nguyên Giáp was a Vietnamese political and military leader who is widely regarded as one of the 20th century's foremost military commanders. A master of guerrilla warfare, Giáp led the Viet Minh nationalist movement to victory against the French occupation of Vietnam in 1954, thus ending French colonial rule in Southeast Asia. As military leader of North Vietnam, Giáp invaded South Vietnam; after a 20-year conflict, he led his troops to victory against the South Vietnamese and US armies, successfully reuniting the country in 1976.

The first Communist leader of North Korea, Kim joined the Korean guerrilla resistance against Japanese occupation in the 1930s. After Korea was divided in 1945, he established Communist rule in the north. In 1950, he invaded South Korea, aiming to reunite the country under his authority but was repelled by UN forces. Kim ran an isolated totalitarian state from 1948 until his death in 1994; at first, North Korea thrived, but by 1990 the country faced ruin, cut off from all foreign powers except China and the USSR. His death saw a nine-day mourning period.

Daughter of Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi became the first female prime minister of India in 1966. She set up successful agricultural programs, boosted exports, established India as a regional and nuclear power, and backed East Pakistan in its bid for independence, leading to the formation of Bangladesh in 1971. A controversial figure, she ordered the army to attack Sikh separatists in 1984; due to her role in the attack, her Sikh guards killed her.

Egyptian army officer Gamal Abdel Nasser led a military uprising in 1952 that overthrew the Egyptian monarchy, ending the British occupation of Sudan and Egypt. After becoming president in 1956, Nasser nationalized the Suez Canal, defeating the British, French, and Israeli forces that tried to reclaim it. He advocated pan-Arabism to unite the Arab world, but this failed. Nasser ruled Egypt as a one-party police state. He was a popular leader. He implemented land reforms, boosted industry, improved women’s rights, and oversaw a cultural revolution.

A member of the Gurindji tribe, Vincent Lingiari was an Australian-Aboriginal activist who became a national symbol for the struggle of indigenous people. In 1966, Lingiari led a strike of 200 men in protest against pay and working conditions at a cattle station. He also demanded the return of traditional tribal lands. During the nine-year strike, Lingiari petitioned the government and traveled to raise public awareness, gaining national and international support, until, in 1975, the government granted Lingiari’s people the rights to their traditional lands.

Canadian Liberal politician Pierre Trudeau became prime minister in 1968 on a wave of popularity dubbed “Trudeaumania." A firm anti-separatist, he secured national unity by overpowering a pro-independence movement in Quebec and defeated a Quebec-led terrorist group. During his presidency, Trudeau brought in a policy of official bilingualism, softened divorce laws, secured Canada’s independence from Britain in 1982, and amended the Canadian Constitution to include the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which legalized homosexuality.

A leading figure in the campaign for independence from British rule, Julius Nyerere became the first prime minister of Tanganyika and then president of the Republic of Tanzania after its union with Zanzibar in 1964. As president, he brought in agricultural reforms and free education and promoted literacy. He also helped to found the Organization of African Unity, initiated the Uganda-Tanzania War to overthrow Ugandan dictator Idi Amin, and actively opposed white supremacy in countries such as South Africa. Although his agricultural policies failed, Nyerere created one of the most peaceful, politically stable, and socially egalitarian countries in Africa, based on socialist principles.

The 39th president of the United States, Jimmy Carter faced serious international and domestic challenges during his term. His greatest achievements include the negotiations that led to the 1979 Egypt–Israel Peace Treaty and his securing of amnesty for Vietnam War draft evaders. Following his presidency, Carter turned to promoting global human rights, supporting social and economic development, and securing diplomatic solutions for international conflicts. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.

African nationalist leader Patrice Lumumba founded the Congolese National Movement, the first national political party in Congo, and helped the country to gain independence from Belgium in 1960, becoming Congo’s prime minister. A supporter of pan-Africanism, Lumumba advocated for the liberation of every African colony from foreign empires. When he asked for help from the UN and the Soviet Union to quell a secessionist movement in the state of Katanga, however, he was arrested and executed.

Queen of the UK and ruler of Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and other territories around the world, Elizabeth II is the longest-reigning monarch in British history. She has overseen the independence of many former British colonies, and the British Empire converted to the Commonwealth of Nations. Although devoted to her traditional ceremonial duties, the queen has reshaped the monarchy and modernized its attitudes—enabling the institution to remain relevant, with a valid role in the 21st century.

Mexican-American activist and union leader Cesar Chavez is renowned for his work in promoting the rights of US farm laborers, particularly for migrant communities. In 1962, he founded the National Farm Workers Association, which became United Farm Workers in 1972. Advocating nonviolent protests, he organized marches, strikes, and boycotts; his campaigns resulted in improvements in the pay, working conditions, and treatment of laborers, and he also raised public awareness about the dangers of pesticides. In 1994, he was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in recognition of his contribution to the rights of Mexican workers.

The ninth king of Thailand, Bhumibol Adulyadej was the longest-ruling Thai monarch—his reign totaling seven decades. Although his role was officially restricted to ceremonial duties, through his crucial negotiations, Bhumibol was instrumental in securing the peaceful resolution of several domestic political conflicts, including a military coup and Thailand's difficult transition from absolute monarchy to democracy. Revered by the nation, and admired internationally, Bhumibol was presented with the Human Development Lifetime Achievement Award by the UN in 2006.