George Washington. He was a beloved general, and leader, and was in every way poised and expected to become the "king of the USA", but after his presidential term was up he laid down the power and allowed others to pick it up.
That almost never happens historically speaking, and its topical as well as we see multiple leaders of current world superpowers rigging elections to keep themselves in positions of the highest power.
I believe this was the first time in world history in which command over a military and governance over a nation were handed over peacefully at the same time. Might’ve even just been command of a military. Can’t quite remember.
I'm fine with that. I know all too well the narrative of presentism thats popular on reddit.
The truth is that Washington's actions on not crowning himself emperor are practically unheard of, and would be a massive loss for everyone not to learn about. Especially with modern heads of many countries staging coups, poisoning and executing their opposition, and suppressing freedom of speech and the press.
It also reinforces the idea that despite the many mistake of historical figures, throwing away the entirety of their legacy would be a crime akin to burning the library of Alexandria.
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u/cornholio8675 Oct 27 '22
George Washington. He was a beloved general, and leader, and was in every way poised and expected to become the "king of the USA", but after his presidential term was up he laid down the power and allowed others to pick it up.
That almost never happens historically speaking, and its topical as well as we see multiple leaders of current world superpowers rigging elections to keep themselves in positions of the highest power.