The Iron Lady and Catherine the Great Billions of people currently live on Earth, but perhaps a small percentage of them will be remembered in history books tomorrow. Many people will gain some significance in their family history, but few will achieve global significance due to their accomplishments. So, what makes these selected few historically significant? Perhaps it was because they have done something that has affected the world after their deaths, or maybe it was an invention they created. Or maybe, they were the leaders of a movement or country that has changed society for the better. These historical people could have impacted the world politically, economically, or culturally. To be remember, they must have been groundbreaking …show more content…
to affect the future. No matter what these people have done, they did something remarkable that has impacted the world. Margaret Thatcher and Catherine II were both the leaders of their country; however, Margaret Thatcher is more historically significant than Catherine II because Margaret Thatcher benefited Britain's government by improving its economics and politics which influenced a larger portion of people, while Catherine the Great improved Russia culturally by arts and modernization along with expansion and education. Margaret Hilda Roberts was born on October 13, 1925 in Grantham, Lincolnshire to a pair of grocers ("Margaret Thatcher" 1).
From a young age, she was educated about politics from her father, a member in their town’s council, who taught Margaret about conservative politics ("Margaret Thatcher" 2). Margaret grew up in a house without running water; however, despite her challenges, she was able to win scholarships that allowed her to attend Somerville College, Oxford (Daniel). While attending Oxford University, she studied to become a research chemist but changed course, and was soon involved in politics, giving her first political speech at the age of 20 (Greene). In 1951, Margaret married Denis Thatcher, a wealthy businessman, with whom she had two children with ("Margaret Thatcher" 1). Then, in 1954, Thatcher became a barrister where she was able to further expand her experiences in the political field ("Margaret Thatcher" 1). In 1959, she was elected into Parliament, where she served in various positions, including education secretary, until her terms as prime minister (Greene). In 1979, Margaret Thatcher became the first female prime minister of Britain only six years after stating, "I don't think there will be a woman prime minister in my lifetime” …show more content…
(Greene). Sophie Friederike Auguste von Anhalt-Zerbst was born on May 2, 1729, in Stettin, Prussia, nowadays, Szczecin, Poland (“Catherine II”). Sophie’s father was the German prince of a tiny dominion who gain fame from his military career, due to this, Sophie came from a life of royalty where she was a minor princess (“Catherine II”). She was educated by a military chaplain, but questioned everything that was taught, displaying how she had a higher level of intelligence because she didn’t want to simply learn but to analyze and interpret (“Catherine II”). Sophie was very intelligent and could speak German, French, and Russian from her education (“Catherine II”). Sophie’s mother viewed Sophie as a way to increase her status in the social ladder and she achieved her goal when she arranged that Sophie would marry Peter, the heir to the Russian throne (“Catherine The Great”). So in 1744, Sophie Friederike Auguste von Anhalt-Zerbst was wed and became the Grand Duchess Catherine Alekseyevna (“Catherine The Great”). In 1762, the Empress Elizabeth died which allowed Peter to become the Emperor of Russia (“Catherine The Great”). However despite her title, Catherine couldn’t achieve much under during her marriage with her childish husband, Peter. So, Catherine decided to overthrow Peter’s rule by kidnapping him; however, her plan resulted in the killing of Peter eight days after he was contained (“Catherine The Great”). With the support of the public and army, Catherine II became the empress of Russia on July 9, 1762 in Moscow, which began a 34-year reign (Catherine The Great”). When comparing Margaret Thatcher and Catherine II, their lifestyle during childhood were vastly different.
Margaret grew up in an environment where she had to work very hard to achieve her goals. Her parents “emphasized self-help, charity, and personal truthfulness”, which taught Thatcher valuable skills that shaped her to become the person she became ("Margaret Thatcher" 3). During her childhood, she didn’t have luxuries but grew up with the items that could be afforded. Whereas, Catherine grew up with everything and anything she wanted due to her status of being a princess. Additionally, when she married Peter, she receive even more wealth and riches as the heir to the throne. Margaret Thatcher is more significant than Catherine II because she came from a humble beginning, which demonstrates how Thatcher rose out of the low class of society and was able to emerge into a higher class by accomplishing her goals which shows her dedication. Due to this, Thatcher was able to become the prime minister and accomplish great achievements that would influence Britain. Margaret is even more significant because Thatcher was able to overcome adversities, such as the lack of necessities and prejudice, to eventually become the first female prime minister. Margaret was able to achieve this title due to the amount of hard work that she went through despite her hard childhood that she endured. On the other had, Catherine II also achieved great accomplishments, but she had all of the
needs of doing so right in front of her. Starting in the beginning, she was raised with experience of being a leader and received even more practice when she became the duchess of Russia. Years before she became the empress, she was involved with the tasks of being the leader of a country due to her position when she was married to the heir. These interpretations of the two leaders demonstrate that Margaret Thatcher was more significant than Catherine II due to Thatcher’s humble beginnings, the challenges faced, and the dedication to achieve goals. Margaret Thatcher’s accomplishments as Britain’s prime minister were beneficial to Britain’s economic and political state, which has made her significantly historical due to the impact she created. In 1979, Thatcher achieved the biggest accomplishment- becoming the first female prime minister under the Consecutive Party, “the first of three election victories she led her party” (Greene). Her biggest accomplishment was impactful not only in Britain, but the world because it showed how Margaret was able to achieve a goal that has never been accomplished only six years after she declared that will probably not be a female prime minister in her time period. Margaret’s election allowed the world to see that a female could succeed in becoming a prime minister, creating encouragement for future women to become leaders. In Margaret’s first term, Britain was suffering from “soaring inflation, bitter labor disputes, rising unemployment and declining trade figures”, which was a result from the previous policies set by the Labour and Consecutive Parties (Ellis). However, despite the state that the country was in, Thatcher was able to fix its economic decline by increasing taxes and balancing the government’s budget ("Margaret Thatcher" 1). Due to her changes, Britain had seven consecutive years of success (Mandeil). Additionally to improving the economic state, in 1982, the United Kingdom, under Thatcher's rule, fought and won a short war with Argentina over the Falklands Islands when Argentina laid claim to the islands (Greene). Because of her success in the war, in 1983, Thatcher won the election by a landslide and was reelected (Greene). Her second term was as successful as her first term, Thatcher’s policies continued to benefit economy when she boosted the stock market by privatizing assets, providing generous terms for investors, and investing in pensions (Ellis). As a result of Margaret Thatcher’s economic policies, she was able to be reelected for her third term in the June of 1987 ("Margaret Thatcher" 1). Her third term is known for its “reforms to the education system, National Health Service, and the local government tax system or poll tax” ("Margaret Thatcher" 3). However, in 1990, Thatcher decided to resign from her position due to leadership challenges in the Conservative Party caused by Thatcher’s new poll tax that created negative feedback and riots (“Margaret Thatcher” 1). Despite her unpredicted resignation, she has been remember due to “her personal and political toughness” which allowed others to nickname her as the ‘Iron Lady’ (Green). Her personality of toughness can be seen when Margaret took charge of strikes, stagflation, dying industries, and rising unemployment, which would ultimately influencing the economy- allowing it to more efficient (Mandel). Due to her ability to take action, it was possible for Britain to raise out of its fast declining economy. Throughout her terms, she not only created policies that affected Britain's economics, she created foreign policies that benefited the country (Garfinkel). One well known foreign policy that was created involved the former British colony, Hong Kong (Garfinkel). With Thatcher, Britain was able to negotiate an agreement with China that ensured the peaceful return of Hong Kong (Garfinkel). With this successful policy, Thatcher had an ability to discuss arms control negotiations with China, which would impact the future decisions of the usage of small arms in Britain (Garfinkel). From the beginning, Thatcher has done amazing actions that have impacted Britain’s economy in the long run; from investing less in failing businesses to educating and training people in their skilled tasks (Thatcher). After her resignation, Thatcher continued to be a political figure when she established the Margaret Thatcher Foundation a program that further promote her ideas about free enterprise and democracy (Young). This foundation influenced the world well after Thatcher’s terms because it aimed at advancing the cause of political and economic freedoms in the world (Young). Her program demonstrates how she is continuing to impact the world even when she isn’t the prime minister, displaying her significance. Even decades after her terms of being the Prime minister, she has made a lasting impact on British history due to her policies that benefited its economy during one of its harder times.
A female philosopher was rare in the seventeenth century. A female in the Royal Society was even rarer. Margaret Cavendish was both. Margaret Cavendish was born Margaret Lucas. The name change was a result of her marriage to William Cavendish, the Duke of Newcastle. It was difficult for a woman to have writings published in the seventeenth century. Cavendish was able to publish some works on her own but her husband’s influence gave her the opportunity to publish many more works. Her husband also put her in close proximity with very influential philosophers and scientists of the time such as Hobbes and Boyle. Thinkers such as Hobbes and Boyle were not willing correspond to Cavendish directly since she was a women, and at the time correspondence
On September 14, 1879, Margaret Sanger was born in Corning, New York. She was the sixth child of eleven children and realized early what being part of a large family meant; just making due. Although her family was Roman Catholic both her mother and father were of Irish descent. Her mother, Anne Purcell had a sense of beauty that was expressed through and with flowers. Her father was an Irish born stonemason whose real religion was social radicalism. Her father was a free thinker and strong believer in eugenics which meant Margaret possessed some of the same values. (Sanger, Margaret) Eugenics is the belief that one race is better than a different race just because they are not like them, kind of like Hitler and the holocaust. “He expected me to be grown up at the age of ten.” (Source 4.3 page 30) Coming from a family of eleven children she did have to grow up fast. Faster than most kids should have to. She left her house as a teenager and came back when she needed to study nursing. It was during this time that Margaret worked as a maternity nurse helping in the delivery of babies to immigrant women. She saw illegal abortions, women being overwhelmed by poverty, to many children, and women dying because they had no knowledge of how to prevent one pregnancy after another. This reminded her of the fact that her own mother had eighteen pregnancies, eleven children, and died at the age of forty-nine. Margaret dropped out of school and moved in with her sister. She ended up teaching first grade children and absolutely hated it. She hated children at that time. When Margaret was a child herself however, she would dream about living on the hill where all the wealthy people lived. She would dream of playing tennis and wearing beautiful c...
What makes Lewis and Clark truly significant historical figures, or not? It depends on your perspective. To the Native Americans, it was the beginning of an end. Their lives will be changed forever by their contact with the fur traders, soldiers, and missionaries that followed in the wake of the Lewis and Clark expedition. Certainly the changes will be gradual, but changes none the less.
Queenie Volupides had an argument with her husband the night of his death and went to the country club. At 1 am she left the country club and invited her friends over for another drink. Queenie’s friends got there 10 minutes after she did. She claimed that Arthur fell down the stairs going to get another drink. The autopsy report showed that Author died from a wound in the back of his head, and that he was drunk. I believe that
Kim Campbell, Canada's first female Prime Minister, rose quickly in her political standings reaching, what she would find to be the height of her career only seven years after entering politics. It appeared like the loss of the 1993 election and the all around destruction of the Progressive Conservative party was completely Kim Campbell’s fault however actually was a joint effort by Brian Mulroney and Kim Campbell. Kim Campbell rose so quickly in her political status that she did not have the experience that most of the others MPs had at her level. The Tories were finishing their second term in power and the people of Canada were displeased with Brain Mulroney by the time of his resignation. Kim Campbell was voted in as Prime Minister by her party and was not elected by the people of Canada. During the 1993 election Kim Campbell had an American company make a commercial that mocked Liberal party leader Jean Chrétien’s physical disability. Kim Campbell’s first entered politics in 1986. She first won a provincial seat in Vancouver and in 1988 she won her bid for the House of Commons. She had many good ideas, one of them being the USA-Canada Free Trade Agreement. This part of her campaign was recognized by Brian Mulroney who was the current Prime Minister. In 1989 Mulroney appointed Kim Campbell to the position of Minister of State for Indian and Northern Affairs. Later, in 1990 she was appointed Minister of Justice and a year later became the Minister of Defence.
On February 12, 1809, in a log cabin with a dirt floor, a baby was born. This was no ordinary baby, it was one of the most important men in American history. His name was Abraham Lincoln. He was not the only important person in American history however. Theodore Roosevelt and George Washington were also important to history. Theodore Roosevelt, George Washington, and Abraham Lincoln all positively impacted America in many ways.
Catherine Moore was born on October 22, 1752 and grew up with 10 siblings. She lived with her family in Piedmont, South Carolina until she married Andrew Barry at age 15. During the Revolution, she was an important part of warning people of the British attack during the battle of Cowpens in 1781. Her extensive knowledge of the area helped her navigate quickly through the Indian Trails to notify the colonial military forces of the approaching army. With that knowledge, both she and the general set a trap for the British army. After the trap was a success, General Cornwallis of the British army retreated right into the hands of George Washington in Yorktown, Virginia. Catherine was soon named the heroine of Cowpens.
“No woman can call herself free who does not own and control her body,” said Margaret Sanger. “No woman can call herself free until she can choose consciously whether she will or will not be a mother.” Many people may not think Sanger is important or even know who she is, but there are many reasons why she is important in American history. She revolutionized women's health all over the world. Her family life played a tremendous role in her becoming a women’s rights activist.
... the poor and sick when she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 (Tucker). (WC-827)
Catherine the Great was an empress of Russia who ruled from 1762 to 1796, the longest reign of any female Russian leader. Although her reign is clouded in rumors and legends she was still able to greatly expand her country's empire. Catherine the Greats story begins like most others, born of two parents, her Father Christian August, Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst and her Mother Johanna Elisabeth of Holstein-Gottorp. But don’t let that fool you. Her story consists of many twists and turns that sets her apart from others, with the outcome of greatness. Catherine the Great also known as Sophie von Anhalt-Zerbst was born May 2, 1729, in Szczecin, Poland. Not much is said on her education but it is believed that she acquired formal education. The year is 1744, and a 15-year-old Sophie was just invited to Russia by Elizabeth who had assumed the throne three years earlier. Elizabeth eventually choosing her nephew Peter as heir was now looking for a bride. Their marriage took place on August 21, 1745. Catherine and Peter had a rocky marriage from the start so when eight long years passed without...
First in order to determine if she was doing it for a cause greater than herself one must study Sanger herself to determine if she had a reason to fight for women’s rights as hard as she did. Margaret Sanger was a married woman which means that Sanger was not always her last name. Her maiden name was Margaret Louise Higgins and she was born on the fifteenth of September in 1879 in Corning, New York (Smith College). She was the sixth child in the family which was not wealthy by any means. She was educated and
The significance of these men and the impact they have had on western civilization is what makes the great issues that we study today. These are in fact the lives and the legacies left behind by individual people. Without these people, where would our society be? That is a question that we will never know. However, could of someone else created the same result? Is it destiny for certain things to occur? We do not know, but we do know that these individuals have created great issues of history. Great issues are the result of one individual in an event or movement that affects how we live life today. As a modern example, look at the situation in Colorado, that is the work of individuals. The power, influence, and actions of one man to create a great issue can not be overlooked. Not that the results of their actions is either good or bad, but their actions have created great issues, ones that will effect our lives and everyone’s to follow.
LeGuin is able to elaborate more on this by mentioning if someone could tell Margaret Thatcher from Ronald Reagan. Margaret Thatcher was truly an extraordinary woman, she became Great Britain's first female Prime Minister and longest serving Prime Minister of the twentieth century. Margaret Thatcher also know as the Iron Lady for her extreme conservatism, believed herself that their would never be a female British Prime Minister, well not in her lifetime. Thatcher was most surely a feminist though, she once said “If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman.” LeQuin is able to make a logical appeal to her audience by providing it with the example of Margaret Thatcher and her groundbreaking achievements. Additionally, she is able to make an appeal to pathos, by addressing “Because you are human beings you are going to meet failure.
Margaret Thatcher was the Prime Minister of Great Britian. Margaret changed many policies and she also defended strongly other government policies.
Over the period of 67 years, Catherine the Great- a former Empress of Russia in the 1700’s- used various methods in order to implement foreign policy unto her nation and the nations around her. Her accomplishments in foreign policy not only caused drastic changes in her own country for her own people, but also in surrounding countries and their people. The most impressive and life-altering achievement of Catherine the Great was the way in which she intelligently and manipulatively went about her way in seizing control over one-third of Poland.