Generalissimo is the highest rank a military man can receive. The peculiarity is that often it is given not just for long service or skillful leadership, but for special achievements in front of the Motherland. First of all, this statement is typical for the 20th century, when literally a few people around the globe received this title. Practically all generalissimos were distinguished by special qualities that are far from being available to every military man. We will consider a list of the most famous of them in this review.
Historical background
The term "generalissimo" is translated from Latin as "the most important in the army." Indeed, in the entire period of the existence of human civilization, there has never been a higher military rank.
For the first time, this high rank was bestowed in 1569 by the King of France, Charles IX, to his brother, who later succeeded him on the throne and became known to the world under the name of Henry III. True, then it was rather not a title, but an honorary title. And the eighteen-year-old boy, who was Heinrich, is unlikelyLee could by that time seriously distinguish himself on the battlefield.
Further this title was assigned in various countries, often without any systematization. In some cases, it was really the highest military position, and in others it was just a title, some states assigned this rank for life, while others only for the duration of hostilities. So not all generalissimos of the late Middle Ages were connected with the army.
One of the most famous generalissimos of this period was Albrecht von Wallenstein, the great commander of the Holy Roman Empire, who became famous during the Thirty Years' War (1618 - 1648).
And what about in Russia?
In Russia, the rank of Generalissimo was first officially conferred on the voivode Alexander Sergeevich Shein by Tsar Peter I in 1696 after the second Azov campaign.
Then this honorary title was awarded to Duke Alexander Danilovich Menshikov. True, he stayed in it for only a few months, and then he was deprived of his rank, having fallen out of favor. Not much longer was the father of the Russian Emperor John VI Anton Ulrich in the rank of Generalissimo, namely, until the overthrow of his son. It followed in 1741.
But the most famous holder of the title of Generalissimo in Russia was the greatest commander, who more than once won victories over the Turks and the French, Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov (1730 - 1800). His famous Italian campaignin almost all textbooks on military strategy. Probably, all the generalissimos of the world would envy the number of his victories. The list of Suvorov's achievements is really impressive.
19th century Generalissimo
The 19th century gave a galaxy of wonderful people awarded this title. Almost all the generalissimos of this period were major military leaders. The only exception is the Duke of Angouleme Louis, who nominally even managed to be the king of France for twenty minutes.
The rest were all commanders who showed themselves as worthy generalissimos of the world. Their list is crowned by the famous winner of Bonaparte - the British Duke Arthur Wellesley Wellington. In addition, this title was given to such famous military leaders as the Austrian Archduke Karl, Generalissimo of America Miguel Hidalgo, Prince Karl Philipp zu Schwarzenberg, Napoleon's General Jean-Baptiste Jules Bernadotte, who was awarded the highest military rank, like the King of Sweden Karl XIV Johan, the Bavarian Prince Karl Philip von Verde.
But in the Russian Empire, despite the large number of worthy commanders, no one was awarded the title of Generalissimo in the 19th century.
Great generalissimos of the last century
The 20th century brought two major global conflicts and many local wars. This led to the militarization of many countries of the world, in which the top leader often held a civil and military position at the same time. Almost all generalissimos of the 20th century were heads of state. Among them are prominentfigures such as the leader of the Soviet Union Joseph Stalin, the President of the Republic of China Chiang Kai-shek, the dictator of Spain Francisco Franco, the head of the DPRK Kim Il Sung and others. Let's dwell on their biographies, find out in more detail what the great generalissimos of the world lived and did. Photos and biographies of these outstanding people are presented below.
Sun Yat-sen, the first generalissimo of the 20th century
Sun Yat-sen (1866 - 1925) - statesman, revolutionary and leader of the Republic of China. He was awarded this important title before any other generalissimos of the world in the 20th century.
It was Sun Yat-sen who stood at the origins of the founding of the revolutionary Chinese Kuomintang Party. During the struggle for power after the revolution that overthrew the monarchy in the Celestial Empire, a government was formed in the south of the country. Sun Yat-sen received the highest position in it - Generalissimo of the Military Government of Nationalist China.
Until the end of his life, he fought for the unification of the country into a single democratic state, but his death in 1925 prevented this cause.
Chiang Kai-shek is President of the Republic of China
Probably the most famous Chinese generalissimo of the 20th century was Chiang Kai-shek (1887-1975).
This great commander and politician in 1933 became at the helm of the Kuomintang party, which he actually led right after the death of Sun Yat-sen. It was he who insisted on the start of the Northern Expedition in 1926, which made it possible to significantly expand the bordersRepublic of China during the civil war. In 1928, Chiang Kai-shek became head of government.
In 1931, the Japanese intervention in Manchuria began, and in 1927 an open war broke out, in which Chiang Kai-shek took an active part. Then he was awarded the title of Generalissimo. After the victory of the allied forces over Japan during World War II, a civil war broke out in China between supporters of the Kuomintang and the communists led by Mao Zedong. Chiang Kai-shek at the head of his troops was defeated and had to retreat to Taiwan. There, the government of the Republic of China was formed by the Kuomintang. Chiang Kai-shek remained president of this partially recognized state until his death in 1975.
Joseph Stalin - leader of the Soviet Union
Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin (Dzhugashvili) (1878 - 1953) - an outstanding politician, leader of the USSR. It was during his reign that the Soviet Union won a great victory over Nazi Germany, which came at a high price. For this he was awarded the title of Generalissimo. This happened for the first time in Russian history since the time of Suvorov.
Following the victory of the October Revolution, Stalin got into the top leadership of the young state. After Lenin's death, he gained the upper hand in the struggle for power and in the second half of the 1920s became the de facto sole leader of the Soviet Union.
The policy pursued by Stalin caused a lot of conflicting opinions among historians because of its harshness, and sometimes cruelty, mass repression. And, howeverHowever, a significant result was achieved, as the USSR was rapidly turning from a country with an economy that collapsed after the civil war into an industrial power.
Stalin and the Great Patriotic War
Immediately after the sudden German attack on the territory of the USSR, it became clear that the Soviet army approached the fighting unprepared. The soldiers of the Reich advanced rapidly, and our troops retreated deep into the country, suffering huge human losses. The blame for the unpreparedness of the army largely lies with Stalin.
But nevertheless, at the cost of the incredible efforts of the Red Army, they managed to turn the tide of the Great Patriotic War, push the enemy back beyond the borders of the country, and then take Berlin.
This was also a significant merit of Joseph Stalin as the head of state and supreme commander in chief. Despite the failures of the first months of the war, he managed to take control of the situation and choose the strategically correct solution in organizing the defense. For these merits, Stalin was awarded the highest military rank - Generalissimo. This rank was assigned to him by the decision of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR in June 1945. He skillfully combined his military rank with the activities of a state leader, as, indeed, at that time, other generalissimos of the world. The list of people awarded this high rank in our country is closed by Joseph Stalin.
Francisco Franco is the dictator of Spain
Francisco Franco (1892-1975) is one of the most controversial figures in modern history. But, nevertheless, his deeds allowed him to become famous notless than other generalissimos of the world. The list of Franco's accomplishments is quite wide, and includes both actions aimed, of course, for the benefit of Spain, and dubious decisions.
Caudillo, as he was called after coming to power, gained world fame by organizing a military coup in Spain in 1936. Then he received the title of Generalissimo. Having defeated the Republicans in the civil war, with the support of Nazi Germany and fascist Italy, he actually became the only ruler of Spain, establishing an authoritarian regime in the country.
After the outbreak of World War II, Franco did not take the side of his allies, but tried to remain neutral, which, as history has shown, was a very wise decision. This allowed him to remain in power after 1945. In fact, he ruled Spain until his death in 1975, transferring control of the state to King Juan Carlos I.
Thus, in the XX century, Franco stayed in power more than all the generalissimo of the world. In total, he ruled, combining the highest state and military posts, for 36 years.
Kim Il Sung is the founder of North Korea
Kim Il Sung (1912 - 1994) - the first leader and founder of the DPRK. He spent less time in the highest military rank in the 20th century than all the generalissimos of the world - just over two years.
Kim Il Sung was born in Korea in 1912. His biography still causes a lot of controversy, although almost all of them were shrouded in a certain mystery.generalissimos of the world. Kim Il Sung often changed names during his revolutionary activities, although he was Kim Song-ju by birth.
In 1945, Kim Il Sung became chairman of the Communist Party of Korea, and the following year, head of the new state of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. In the 50s, a brutal war broke out with South Korea, which was supported by the United States. But, in fact, the fighting did not bring anyone a tangible advantage. The war ended with no clear winner.
After that, Kim Il Sung focused on domestic affairs. His regime bore bright features of authoritarianism and a cult of personality. In 1992, two years before his death, Kim Il Sung was awarded the title of Generalissimo.
Generalissimo: historical role
The historical role of almost every outstanding person who had the highest military rank is hard to overestimate. The greatest contribution to history was made by almost all the generalissimos of the world. A list of their victories and achievements is contained in any history textbook. And their memory is passed from mouth to mouth.
And this is not surprising, because the glory of military and state achievements in itself is a monument to such outstanding historical figures as the generalissimo of the world. The names of Suvorov, Wallenstein, Menshikov, Sun Yat-sen, Stalin, Kim Il Sung and other famous figures will forever remain in history.
