so, whos your favorite crappy leader of history?

[stalin006]

Genneralisimo Antonio Lopez de Santa ana

 

[Al Zan]

Originally posted by stalin006
Genneralisimo Antonio Lopez de Santa ana

is that leader of Mexico,who led Mexico in the againt the USA?

 

[Djarum Kretek]

I have a nominee: The 2nd Emperor of Qin!

He was very dumb and weak; a far cry from his powerful father who built the great wall. One day, the 2nd Emperor saw a deer. His subordinates, led by Zhao Gao, then played a 'power joke' (just to prove that they are able to control the Emperor's perception). They said, "No, Your Highness, it is a horse". All of the Zhao Gao loyalist then said "Yes, it is obviously a horse!" The 2nd Emperor then just followed "Sorry, I was mistaken, it is a horse..."

 

[Lord Paul]

Peter III of Russia. He was crazy. I saw a program on the History Channel about him. When he was Catherine the Great's husband, Catherine found him hanging a rat for treason. When he became leader of Russia, his hero (the leader of Prussia) was being beaten to a pulp by the Russians. He orders the armies to withdraw completely from Prussian lands, and makes the Russian Army wear Prussian Blue uniforms!

EDIT: AUGH! Posted as Lord Paul again. This is Puglover. I am sooo sorry.

 

[Riesstiu IV]

General Oreste Baratieri, commander of the Italian invasion (1896) force against Ethiopia. As you can guess his army ended up getting defeated, even though they had modern weapons.

 

[Zardnaar]

Caligula. Chump.

 

[Enemy Ace]

President Harry S. Truman or President U. S. Grant

Most regard Truman's presidency to be a bad one, but I personally adore the man.

 

[jeriko one]

General McClellan. One of the most indecisive generals in history.

 

[privatehudson]

Was he pre-industrial? Can we like, set a date please?

 

[Unregister]

Ya, a date would be good...but as of now i say President (William?) Taft.

 

[HighlandWarrior]

cromwell

 

[Kafka2]

This is turning into the terse "strong, silent type" thread. Elaborate! Provide some gory details to back up your choices and entertain the kids!

 

[Ossric]

French Marshal Ney, who was a big factor in the french defeat at Waterloo.

Napoleon left the battle for a few hours because he was feeling unwell. He gave the command to Ney.

A few Brittish bataljons were realigning on the hill where the coalition troops were standing. Ney thought that the coalition was withdrawing & sent all the French cavalry upon the hillside without any artillery or infantry backup. Not only that but there was only room for 2 or 3 cavalry units to manoever on the battlefield, but Ney decided to attack with all his cavalry troops. This goes on & on...but you get the picture.

Suffice to say that Napoleon must have said upon his return to the battlefield: "What the hell!!"

(i just saw the documentary series "Battlefield Detectives" episode: Waterloo)

 

[privatehudson]

Originally posted by Ossric
French Marshal Ney, who was a big factor in the french defeat at Waterloo.

Napoleon left the battle for a few hours because he was feeling unwell. He gave the command to Ney.

A few Brittish bataljons were realigning on the hill where the coalition troops were standing. Ney thought that the coalition was withdrawing & sent all the French cavalry upon the hillside without any artillery or infantry backup. Not only that but there was only room for 2 or 3 cavalry units to manoever on the battlefield, but Ney decided to attack with all his cavalry troops. This goes on & on...but you get the picture.

Suffice to say that Napoleon must have said upon his return to the battlefield: "What the hell!!"

(i just saw the documentary series "Battlefield Detectives" episode: Waterloo)

Hmmmmm debateable, let me quickly outline why.

1) Ney had no choice, the bulk of his infantry were busy or being refused to him, to keep the allies from attacking him, he needed to pin their forces, hence the cavalry attacks. You're wrong to imply he had a choice, his only available, no engaged corps were Lobau (destined to try and hold the Prussians) and the Guard. Put simply he could not conjour infantry out of thin air, he needed time to gather such a force.

2) Ney was an experienced (if a little hot-headed), professional commander of decades of army experience. He was a good general when kept in check, the thing is though, not even Ney was THAT stupid. I'm pretty sure even Ney could tell apart a British withdrawl from a realignment, he'd fought British troops before, he'd know their tenacity more than most on the field that day. Also he launched over a dozen attacks up the slopes, nobody of Ney's character and standing would deliberately do this thinking they would retreat. Once or twice, yes, 4 times perhaps, but no way 12+ times, just not going to happen. Also ney had a decent past reputation, to call him incompetent based on such a single engagement is wrong IMO.

3) The cavalry attacks lasted over 4 hours, Napoleon is known to have released the Cuirassiers at least, he knew of the attacks, and was not ill for the entire period. 12+ attacks, 4 hours, pleanty of time to order a halt should Napoleon strictly disagree with such a plan.

Above that Napoleon's plan was abysmal, his control of the battle when well was pathetic, and his command of the army overall lacked cohesion and common sense after Ligny/Quatre Bras.

 

[WickedSmurf]

Nero.

 

[Coke_Cola]

I forgot the guys name, but he was a crazy roman emperor, some of his achievements were making his horse a consul, and having an entire legion or army of soldiers go to the beach to pick sea-shells.

 

[BorgeoisBuffoon]

Originally posted by Coke_Cola
I forgot the guys name, but he was a crazy roman emperor, some of his achievements were making his horse a consul, and having an entire legion or army of soldiers go to the beach to pick sea-shells.

That'd be Caligula, I believe.

Not my personal fave, but up there.

 

[Coke_Cola]

Yeah that its, Caligula.

 

[Harrison]

Charles I of England, 11 years tryanny can't be fun. Also Oliver Cromwell its either of those

 

[CivEmperor]

nero or mayb mark antony