The Generalissimo is the highest rank that a military can receive. The peculiarity is that it is often given not just for length of service or skillful leadership, but for special achievements in front of the Motherland. First of all, this statement is characteristic of the 20th century, when literally units of people all over the globe received this title. Practically all generalissimuses were distinguished by special qualities, accessible not to every military man. A list of the most famous of them we will consider in this review.
History reference
The term "generalissimo" is translated from Latin as "the most important in the army." And indeed, for 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 granted in 1569 by the King of France Charles IX to his brother, who later replaced 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 young man, whom Henry was, could hardly have seriously distinguished himself on the battlefields by that time.
Further this title was appropriated in various countries, often without any systematization. In some cases, it was really the highest military post, and in others it was just a title, some states assigned this rank for life, and others only for the duration of military operations. So not all generalissimo of the late Middle Ages were associated with the army.
One of the most famous generalissimo of this period was the great commander of the Holy Roman Empire Albrecht von Wallenstein, who became famous during the Thirty Years War (1618 - 1648).
But what about in Russia?
In Russia, the rank of generalissimo was first officially awarded to the governor Alexander Sergeyevich Shein by Tsar Peter I in 1696 after the second Azov campaign.
Then this honorary title was awarded to the Duke Alexander Danilovich Menshikov. True, he stayed in it for only a few months, and then was deprived of the rank, having fallen out of favor. The father of the Russian emperor John VI Anton Ulrich was not much longer 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 won victories over Turks and French more than once, Alexander Vasilievich Suvorov (1730 - 1800). His famous Italian campaign was included in almost all textbooks on military strategy. Probably, the generalissimo of the world would envy the number of his victories. Suvorov's list of achievements is really impressive.
Generalissimo of the XIX century
The 19th century gave a galaxy of wonderful people who were awarded this title. Almost all the generalissimo of this period were major military leaders. The only exception is the Duke of Angouleme, Louis, who nominally even managed to visit the king of France for twenty minutes.
The rest were all generals who showed themselves as worthy generalissimo of the world. The list is crowned with the famous winner of Bonaparte - the British Duke Arthur Wellesley Wellington. In addition, such a title was given to such well-known commanders as the Austrian Archduke Carl, Generalissimo of America Miguel Hidalgo, Prince Carl Philipp Philipp zu Schwarzenberg, Napoleon's General Jean-Baptiste Jules Bernadotte, who was awarded the highest military rank, as the King of Sweden Charles XIV Prince Johan of Bavaria von Verde.
But in the Russian Empire, despite the large number of worthy commanders, no one in the XIX century was awarded the title of Generalissimo.
Great Generalissimo of the last century
The twentieth century brought two major global conflicts and many local wars. This led to the militarization of many countries of the world, in which often the top leader held civilian and military posts simultaneously. Almost all generalissimo of the 20th century were heads of state. These include such prominent figures 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 they lived and what the great generalissimo of the world did. Photos and biographies of these prominent people are presented below.
Sun Yat-sen - the first generalissimo of the 20th century
Sun Yat-sen (1866-1925) was a statesman, revolutionary, and leader of the Republic of China. He was awarded this important title before the other generalissimo of the world of the 20th century.
It was Sun Yat-sen who was at the origins of the founding of the revolutionary Chinese Kuomintang party. In the course of the power struggle after the revolution, which overthrew the Celestial Empire, a government was formed in the south of the country. Sun Yat-sen received the highest position in it - the 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 matter.
Chiang Kai-shek - 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 immediately after the death of Sun Yat-sen. It was he who insisted on the beginning of the Northern campaign in 1926, which allowed to significantly expand the borders of the Republic of China during the civil war. In 1928, Chiang Kai-shek became the head of government.
In 1931, 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 the Second World War in China, a civil war broke out 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 Kuomintang formed the government of the Republic of China. Chiang Kai-shek remained the 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 gained a dearly won great victory over Nazi Germany. 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 fell into the top leadership of the young state. After the death of Lenin, he gained the upper hand in the struggle for power and in the second half of the 1920s became virtually the sole leader of the Soviet Union.
The policies pursued by Stalin aroused many conflicting opinions among historians because of their rigidity, and sometimes - cruelty, mass repressions. Nevertheless, it was possible to achieve a significant result, since the USSR was rapidly turning from a country with an economy collapsed after the Civil War into an industrial power.
Stalin and the Great Patriotic War
Immediately after a sudden attack by Germany on the territory of the USSR, it became clear that the Soviet army had come to combat unprepared. The Reich soldiers were advancing swiftly, and our troops were retreating inland, suffering huge human losses. The blame for the unreadiness of the army lies largely with Stalin.
But nevertheless, at the cost of incredible efforts of the Red Army, it was possible to turn the tide of the Great Patriotic War, throw the enemy 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. Despite the failures of the first months of the war, he managed to take control of the situation and choose a strategically correct solution in organizing defense. For these services, Stalin was awarded the highest military rank - Generalissimo. This rank was assigned to him by decision of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR in June 1945. He skillfully combined the military rank with the activities of the state leader, as, incidentally, at that time also the other generalissimo of the world. The list of people awarded this high rank in our country is closed by just Joseph Stalin.
Francisco Franco - 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 no less than other generalissimo of the world. Franco's list of accomplishments is quite wide, and includes both actions aimed, certainly, for the good of Spain, and dubious decisions.
Caudillo, as he began to be dignified 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 became virtually the only ruler of Spain, establishing an authoritarian regime in the country.
After the outbreak of World War II, Franco did not stand on the side of his allies, but tried to maintain neutrality, which, as history has shown, was a very wise decision. This allowed him to retain power after 1945. In fact, he ruled Spain until his death in 1975, transferring state control to King Juan Carlos I.
Thus, in the 20th century, Franco remained in power more than all the generalissimo of the world. In total, he ruled, combining the highest state and military posts, 36 years.
Kim Il Sung - Founder of the DPRK
Kim Il Sung (1912 - 1994) is the first leader and founder of the DPRK. He spent time in the highest military rank in the 20th century less than all the generalissimo of the world - just a little over two years.
Kim Il Sung was born in Korea in 1912. His biography still causes a lot of controversy, although almost all generalissimo of the world were shrouded in a secret. Kim Il Sung often changed names in the course of his revolutionary activities, although he was Kim Sung Joo by birth.
In 1945, Kim Il Sung became the chairman of the Communist Party of Korea, and from the next year - the head of the new state of the Korean People’s Democratic Republic. 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 without a clear winner.
After that, Kim Il Sung focused on domestic affairs. His regime bore vivid features of authoritarianism and the cult of personality. In 1992, two years before his death, Kim Il Sung was awarded the title of Generalissimo.
