Ho Chi Minh example essay topic

When the Italian Renaissance writer and political analyst Niccol'o Machiavelli wrote "The Prince", he conceived several principles that a leader should follow if the leader wishes to be successful. Throughout history, these principles have proven to work; one leader that exhibited, but also contradicted some of the traits that Machiavelli believed would make a leader successful is the former ruler of North Vietnam Ho Chi Minh. He was born in central Vietnam to a steadfast revolutionist. As he grew, he attended school, taught at a private institution, traveled to Europe, became a devout Communist, and organized an anti-colonial and Communist group. Through his experience Minh discovered the traits and skills needed to lead a group of people well. During his travels in Europe, Ho Chi Minh found that the first thing needed to lead a people well is a strong show of patriotism.

Ho Chi Minh knew that the only way he would ever achieve his people's freedom would be to think always of his country first. The first thing he did was change his name to Nguyen Ai Quoc, or Nguyen the Patriot. This way, both he and his followers would always know that his country was most important to him. Secondly, Ho Chi Minh decided to go back to Vietnam so that he could gather followers for independence groups that he was hoping to found. These groups would eventually help liberate Vietnam.

No matter what, whether he was going over recent goals with his Indochinese Communist Party or discussing strategies with his Vietnam Independence League, or Viet Minh, Ho Chi Minh always was looking out for his country's interests. Machiavelli understood that patriotism was a must for a leader, but it should not hold him back from doing whatever is necessary to maintain power and order. Also, Minh exhibited a strong love for his followers and subjects. He was always trying to discover the source of his people's sufferings and then fix them. He constantly gave hope to his people even in the direst of situations.

One night during the fighting with the French, Ho Chi Minh traveled to one of the base camps near the front line and talked to his soldiers and generals, hoping to give them comfort during the conflict. He never tried to place himself above the people he ruled unless it was absolutely necessary. This is based upon the theory of Communism, where a society has one equal class. Not only was his love and compassion accepted by his followers, but they returned it, and devoted their lives to him and his cause.

To show their appreciation and devotion, they gave him the nickname 'Uncle Ho', so that the whole world would know how much they cared for him. Contrary to Ho Chi Minh, Machiavelli believed that it was better for a leader to be feared than loved. He thought that if a leader's followers loved him rather than be afraid of him, they would eventually turn on him whenever it suited them. Although Ho Chi Minh shows some qualities that Machiavelli does not believe a leader should have, he still shows one trait for which Machiavelli would approve. Ho Chi Minh understands that war was the only way to achieve his goals, and that sometimes, especially in war, it is necessary to sacrifice those that one holds dearest. The willingness to sacrifice the few for the many is the basis of Machiavelli's belief that a leader must not be afraid to kill his enemies, and if necessary his friends.

Ho Chi Minh took this strategy and used it against the French and the Americans in the Vietnam War and before. He managed to surround the French at the battle of Dien Bien Phu and the Vietnamese pushed the Americans out of the country at the end of the Vietnam War. Throughout his leadership, Ho Chi Minh had three main traits that affected his style and his actions. He remained loyal to his country his whole life, he showed compassion and love to his followers, and he was willing to make sacrifices for his cause by going to war.

He did not completely comply with Machiavelli's ideal leader, but he still managed to guide a nation through a revolution and earn the love and respect of all he led. Once he said, "A revolutionary is a very sentimental man, and because of his great sentimentality, he becomes a revolutionary.".