GROUP RESEARCH

Leader: Therese Anne E. de Padua Course & Year: BSBIO 1-1, 1-2, & 1-4

Members:

 Adrian John K. Aclan

 Precious Mae Y. Atienza

 Kierth Lucio O. Daffon

 Cathlene Joy R. Mancenido

 Jewel Erika B. Mendoza

 Noella Mae L. Nery

 Dannica Joy V. Page

 Julianne Marchela F. Parin

Enumerate at least 10 Famous Leaders in the world. Give their important contributions.

1. Angela Merkel - Former Chancellor of Germany

Important Contributions: She has been a prominent advocate for sustainability and

environmental responsibility. Her tenure as Chancellor saw the implementation of the

"Energiewende" initiative, a comprehensive strategy aimed at transforming Germany's

energy landscape. This initiative seeks to shift the nation away from traditional fossil fuels

towards a more sustainable and eco-friendly energy system, with a strong emphasis on

renewable energy sources. Merkel's leadership has positioned Germany as a global leader in

sustainable practices and environmental stewardship. The emphasis on achieving a balance

between economic growth and environmental responsibility reflects a nuanced understanding

of the interconnected challenges facing modern societies.

 2. Joseph Stalin

Important Contributions: In 1928, Stalin introduced an economic policy based on a cycle of

Five-Year Plans. The First Five-Year Plan called for the collectivization of agriculture and the

expansion of heavy industry, like fuel extraction, energy generation, and steel production.

3. Alexander the Great

Important Contributions: For centuries, Persia had hoarded gold from its conquered lands.

Alexander, however, turned the gold and silver into coinage and spent it lavishly. This spending

pumped huge amounts of money into the economy, making some elites very rich and stimulating

trade.

3. Abraham Lincoln

Important Contributions: An Active Government Role. Supporting the formation of a national

railroad infrastructure wasn't the only way Lincoln fostered national cohesion. His administration

also established national financial institutions to reduce economic instability and help Americans

take advantage of a nationwide marketplace.

5. Franklin D. Roosevelt

Important Contributions: The New Deal included new constraints and safeguards on the

banking industry and efforts to re-inflate the economy after prices had fallen sharply. New Deal

programs included both laws passed by Congress as well as presidential executive orders during

the first term of the presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt.

6. Vladimir Lenin
Important Contributions: Lenin wanted to regain the trust of the peasants and established the

New Economic Policy. Farmers were now allowed to sell their additional products on the open

market, but land still remained the property of the state. All the products were taxed and the state

determined all prices.

7. Margaret Thatcher

Important Contributions: She was the first female British prime minister and the longest-

serving of the 20th century. As prime minister, she implemented economic policies that became

known as Thatcherism. A Soviet journalist dubbed her the "Iron Lady", a nickname that became

associated with her uncompromising politics and leadership style.

8. Bill Gates

Important Contributions: He is the co-founder and former CEO of Microsoft, the world's

largest software company, which has tremendously impacted the technology through its premier

operating system for personal computers called Windows.

9. Mahatma Gandhi

Important Contributions: Champions of Human Rights. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi is

widely recognized as one of the twentieth century’s greatest political and spiritual leaders.

Honored in India as the father of the nation, he pioneered and practiced the principle of

Satyagraha—resistance to tyranny through mass nonviolent civil disobedience. While leading

nationwide campaigns to ease poverty, expand women’s rights, build religious and ethnic

harmony and eliminate the injustices of the caste system, Gandhi supremely applied the

principles of nonviolent civil disobedience, playing a key role in freeing India from foreign

domination. He was often imprisoned for his actions, sometimes for years, but he accomplished
his aim in 1947, when India gained its independence from Britain. Due to his stature, he is now

referred to as Mahatma, meaning “great soul.” World civil rights leaders—from Martin Luther

King, Jr. to Nelson Mandela—have credited Gandhi as a source of inspiration in their struggles

to achieve equal rights for their people.

• The book “Gandhi: The Years That Changed The World”

Goes beyond the archetypal figure of him as the ‘wise old man’ and delves deeper into the

building blocks of his life – that caused a domino effect leading towards Independence.

1. The magnitude of Gandhi’s public role in social and political reform was such that, his ideas

and movements were discussed in American and European newspapers, magazines, books, and

radio. His work was keenly followed by top politicians and statesmen across the globe.

2. Gandhi was one of the pioneers of environmental sustainability. The quintessential Gandhian

question- “How much should a person consume?” still rings true today. His model of

sustainability continues to hold relevance in our burgeoning and populous nation. Gandhi was

the driving force behind what would later become a vigorous environmental movement, by

campaigning against the excesses of industrial development and consequently, promoting

renewable energy and small-scale irrigation systems.

3. The philosophy of non-violence or Ahimsa has become synonymous with Gandhi. His practice

of Ahimsa was an extension of respect for other religions and a sense of fraternity. Gandhi

vehemently opposed injustice and authoritarian rule, but sans any arms or violent actions. His

peaceful and verbal yet non-violent opposition to the arbitrary use of state power is the primary

manifestation of the Gandhian legacy today.

4. Casting aside the constant furore between secularists and monotheists, Gandhi believed that

no religion had a monopoly on the truth. He reasoned against religious conversion, saying that

‘one should accept the faith into which one was born, but seek always to interpret it in the most

broad-minded and nonviolent way.’ Along with the secular ideal, he actively encouraged

friendships and mingling across religion.

5. Gandhi’s method of Satyagraha has been successfully applied in countless ways to achieve a

resolute end to subordination. Be it, the Chipko Movement in the 1970s for bringing an end to

deforestation, to Tribal Movement in the 1980s Central India against a massive dam

construction, to the more recent 2011 anti-corruption campaign which spread nationwide in a

praiseworthy attempt to counter the political class.

6. Gandhi has played an instrumental role in the upliftment of women across the country. The

most notable one is SEWA, the Self - Employed Women’s Association in Ahmedabad which is

responsible for organizing a million plus women in producer cooperatives, providing them with

child and maternal healthcare and a cooperative bank to encourage economic self-reliance.

7. Through dialogue and compromise, Gandhi sought to bring a mini-India together by

strengthening the foundation of Indian National Congress – which under his foresightful

direction, transformed from an elitist body of professionals into a mass political organization

with a wide outreach in all states and districts. 8. Unlike the plight of numerous ex-colonies;

despite being a victim of crony capitalism, India has stridden far ahead in terms of political

parity. The Constitution of India clearly lays down the democratic principles that have to be

abided by all; from free and fair elections, linguistic diversity, separation of state and religion to

a more inclusive step- affirmative action for underprivileged classes of society. A lot of these

achievements owe credit to Gandhi’s visionary approach while framing the Constitution.
9. In order to emancipate Dalits and uplift the so-called untouchables’ condition, Gandhi set up

the All India Anti-Untouchability League and later renamed it Harijan Sevak Sangh. He coined

the term Harijan; which translates to “children of God” – a term far above the derogatory and

derisive words used for identifying them. A breakthrough moment happened when untouchability

was finally abolished by law.

10. Through his leadership in the Civil Disobedience Movement, Gandhi played a crucial role in

the unification of the country, awakening of the masses, and bringing politics within reach of the

common man. Through “Gandhi: The Years That Changed The World”, Ramachandra Guha

keenly explores the unseen face of Gandhi beyond his minutely dissected public image. What

makes this an interesting read – is his heightened self-awareness and openness to self-criticism,

his singularity of thoughts, belief, and morals. There is more to Mahatma than the carefully

coiffured leader of the nationalist movement – his defects, setbacks, passions, superstitions,

selflessness and more importantly an unapologetic self.

Guha, R. (2019, October 22). Gandhi: The Years That Changed the World, 1914-1948. Vintage.

https://www.youthforhumanrights.org/voices-for-human-rights/champions/mahatma-gandhi.html

10. Lee Kuan Yew

Important Contributions: Lee Kuan Yew, the first Prime Minister of Singapore, played a

crucial role in fostering economic growth. His policies focused on attracting foreign investments,
developing infrastructure, and promoting education. Under his leadership, Singapore transformed

from a struggling city-state to a thriving economic hub, emphasizing industries like

manufacturing and finance. Lee's pragmatic approach and commitment to meritocracy were key

factors in Singapore's remarkable economic success.

Why did you consider them as famous leaders?

 Our group chose these individuals as leaders because of their exceptional qualities,

achievements, and influence. They are considered as famous leaders because of their

widespread influence and popularity, not only among the people they served, but they are

internationally recognized as well. They gained their fame through various means: either

by implementation of transformative policies, spearheading innovation, or leading their

nation through times of strife.