Part 2: 100 Most Influential Rankings

[vcczar]

 

@vcczar @ShortKing @WVProgressive @ConservativeElector2 @mark2 @jnewt @Mark_W @OrangeP47 @Arkansas Progressive @A man from Colorado @SilentLiberty @Rodja @DakotaHale @jvikings1 @themiddlepolitical @Edouard @Vols21 @Timur @Patine 

Here's the 1st part of the 100 most influential rankings. 

Rules:

- Please keep discussion on topic. 

- No trolling. 

- No complaining, although constructive criticism is okay. 

- No personal attacks.

- No commenting without voting. 

Candidates in this poll: 

Alexander Graham Bell	Invented and demonstrated the first telephone.
Alexander Hamilton	Laid down the foundations for America's economic system, arguably the greatest economy in world history; Co-wrote the Federalists Papers, which helped ratify the Constitution; Leader of the Federalists, one of the first two national political parties.
Alexander the Great	Arguably the most successful military commander of all-time and king of one of the world's largest empires, which created cultural diffusion and syncretism by Hellenizing Asia Minor, North Africa, the Middle East, and sections of Central Asia; Led to the Hellenization of Judaism, which made the transition to Pauline Christianity possible.
Ali	Cousin and Son-in-Law of Muhammad. According to Shia Muslims, the rightful successor to Muhammad, a claim not supported by Sunni Muslims; Said to have been Muhammad's first convert to Islam and helped its spread.
Amelia Earhart	First female to fly solo across the Atlantic; pop culture figure representing the clear equal capability of women in doing traditionally male work
Andrea Palladio	His writings on architecture make him arguably the most influential instructive architect of all time, influencing those in the Renaissance and beyond
Andreas Vesalius	The founder of of modern human anatomy by way of writing the most influential book on human anatomy
Andrew Carnegie	Promoted his "Gospel of Wealth," which called on the rich to use their wealth to improve society; The leading steel magnate of world; one of the richest men in US history and gave away 90% of his wealth
Andrew Jackson	Inspired universal white male suffrage in the US; altered the life of Native Americans with his Indian Removal Policies; first leader and first president of the still extant Democratic Party; set the precedent for Union used by Lincoln during the Civil War
Andrew Johnson	First American president to be impeached; Presided during the purchase of Alaska

[ShortKing]

Hadn't planned on voting for Hamilton until I read vcczar's description, laying down the foundations for the American economy seems particularly influential given how powerful that economy has grown over time. 

[10centjimmy]

Oof this was a little tricky. I wanted to hold myself to only making 100 picks throughout the process, but some people I haven't expected to see came into the picture. Ali and the split of Islam is huge, and in the grand scheme really outweighs Hamilton's contributions.

[vcczar]

Palladio and Hamilton were the most difficult "no's" for me here. 

[vcczar]

One difficulty with this forum ranking, and it's an obvious one, is that someone like Ali might not seem important to us, when he would be considered crucially important to the entire other hemisphere. 

[Arkansas Progressive]

Ali and Earhart were hard for me. Ali doesn't really speak to me as it's not my religion, but it's definitely influenced world history, but not enough for a vote. Earhart was definitely important to the American iconography of the Roaring 20s but not something I think spread internationally.

[Pringles]

For me this is a 3 way of the Al's. Except Hamilton. 

Alexander the Great, and Alexander Graham Bell are obvious choices. The Great had changed the areas of his Empire forever, even if it caused his Successor Kingdoms to fight among each other, they were culturally changed, culturally united in a small sense by Alexander. But more so, he influenced the following generations of military strategists, Generals, etc. Such as Napoleon. I'm often critical of Alexander because I think he had it easy. But his conquests nevertheless influenced many in future generations. 

Alexander Graham Bell is also pretty obvious. Without the first phone who knows where we'd be?

I chose Ali for his importance in Islam. Islam is the second largest religion in the world. It is also a very old religion, like Christianity. While not culturally important to me, I'm judging this on the basis of how many lives did these people effect.

 

Concerning Alexander Hamilton I understand the rationale for picking him, however, I'd credit the makings of our current economy to our rise out of the Great Depression more so than Alexander Hamilton. Maybe I'm biased because I absolutely despise Alexander Hamilton all in all. But he is a top American figure, not a top worldly figure in my view.

This is a similar view with Andrew Jackson. Personally I would say Andrew is a top American figure. Even greater than Hamilton in my view. Because of his suffrage to all white males, but also the expansion, as bad as it was pushing Native Americans out... his ideas eventually lead to Manifest Destiny. But most of ALL: He is the founder of the Democratic Party which is still around to this day. Which currently has a President in the White House. For me it's a no brainer to make Andrew higher than Hamilton.  

The rest are largely not top 100 worthy in my view. 

 

[Edouard]

I only voted for Alexander the Great and yet I am not fully fully sure that he would be in the top 100 considering that his empire (and its branches) disappeared during the roman era (Cleopatra being the last inheritage from the Greek conquest). Also that the consequences of his conquests haven't really changed the world estate unlike Hitler and Napoléon (I might be wrong or lack informations about the period but I do believe that international relationships and world order remained stable even with his giant empire). It's totally different with europe and sometimes the world after WW2 and the Napoleonic wars.

However as he inspired Caesar then Napoléon I did kept him, but honestly I am not fully fully sure.

Edited May 17, 2022 by Edouard

[Cenzonico]

When it comes to something like this, you have to look at it from a worldly perspective.

How did the actions of these people affect the greater world order?

So this disqualifies Hamilton, Jackson, Carnegie, and Johnson for me. Hamilton and Jackson's contributions were mainly focused on and made for America, and Andrew Johnson is definitely not influential in the grand scheme of things, not even in America lol. Carnegie seems like an interesting figure but seems like a lot of his stuff was America-centric.

Earhart and Palladio I don't believe contributed enough to be considered. 

So this leaves Graham Bell, Alexander, Ali, and Vesalius as my four picks. Graham Bell is a pretty easy choice, as he created what would be a revolution in how people were able to communicate with each other. Alexander the Great created one of the greatest empires of his time, and his actions as a military leader would inspire many to come. Had he not died young who knows what more he could have done? Ali carried on Muhammad's message and helped lay the seeds for Islam to become the second biggest religion in the world. So big in fact they debate on whether or not he was Muhammad's true successor. Finally, Vesalius helped to further understanding of the human body which in turn makes medicine a heck of a lot better.

[jvikings1]

34 minutes ago, Edouard said:

I only voted for Alexander the Great and yet I am not fully fully sure that he would be in the top 100 considering that his empire (and its branches) disappeared during the roman era (Cleopatra being the last inheritage from the Greek conquest). Also that the consequences of his conquests haven't really changed the world estate unlike Hitler and Napoléon (I might be wrong or lack informations about the period but I do believe that international relationships and world order remained stable even with his giant empire). It's totally different with europe and sometimes the world after WW2 and the Napoleonic wars.

The conquests of Alexander the Great were instrumental in the spread of the Greek culture and language throughout the known world. That would have massive ramifications for future events (including the rapid spread of Christianity).

[Edouard]

You do bring an interesting point !

[Vols21]

I can see the argument made above that some people mainly influenced their own country (US) more than the world at large.  However, some of their exploits did have far reaching effects.    Jackson, for example, his victory over the British in New Orleans helped show we were at least in equal footing with them and was the last major conflict with England ( and saves New Orleans for us)   His back channel support of Texas and its battle for Independence also helped shaped the SW.
The US as a country has exhibited a lot of international influence over the past 200 years, so someone who advanced American power played a role in the growing influence.  A reach I know, but one I’ll keep in mind for more major names like Hamilton.    Alexander the Great seemed the most obvious choice here with his military prowess and carrying Greek influence and culture around the world. (Ie., Alexandria Egypt)

[OrangeP47]

I see my voting is more or less in line with popular consensus (I voted for the first 4 in the list, just coincidence they're ordered that way).  I do urge people to give Ali more consideration.  It isn't just that Islam is influential, it's that it's many branches are influential, and you can't even begin to talk about the differences between different internal groups without Ali.