Tyrannys Essay, Research Paper

Throughout time, there have been many forms of governments who have successfully and unsuccessfully ruled it’s people. One type of government that has been tried and still is in use in many parts of the world involves the oppressive and tyrannical rule of it’s citizens. Many people today do not know and appreciate the value of our Republic government and the freedoms we wield. I intend to further expand your knowledge and exemplify why the effects and high costs of an aristocratic, oppressive, tyrannical government are both unjustified and immoral. History has proven that aristocratic, oppressive governments have failed to successfully rule, provide for the common welfare of it’s people, and provide healthy, equal living conditions.

Many world leaders have chosen to base their country’s system of government in this cruel manner of ruling. Many dictators claim to be providing their so called less fortunate or weak minded people with an opportunity to live in relative peace and harmony (Haufman 236). In actuality, they are lying. Even today, dictators make outlandish remarks with hopes that nations around the world will turn a deaf ear and not disrupt their cause. Luckily, the United States has been very persistent in aiding the needy people of these countries. The late president John F. Kennedy so profoundly stated the need to work in order to provide for the people when he said, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” It is our responsibility to ensure peace and tranquillity within our own nation as well as foreign ones. Dictators should not be allowed to exploit lower class citizens. Although it is not our place to define their system of government, it is our place to ensure human rights wherever, and whenever possible. In recorded history, more than three thousand tyrannical governments have been overthrown by their citizens taking matters into their own hands (Brinkley114). God never intended for a single person to profit at the expense of other people. It is the responsibility of all world citizens to react when somewhere in the world people are being persecuted and exploited. Surprisingly many cruel and unjust rulers today hold power in their countries by continuing to take advantage of the helpless people.

In the past, the United Nations, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and many other organizations committed to defending the less fortunate and rising up against vicious tyrants, have fought to keep the world safe of oppressive governments. For example on August 2, 1990, the armed forces of the self appointed leader of Iraq, invaded the small country of Kuwait and quickly overwhelmed their small, oil-rich country (Brinkley 923). Saddam Hussein, the Iraqi president, had viciously overrun the people and forced the United States to take action. A vote by the United Nations allowed the United States to use military action to expel Hussein’s troops from Kuwait. This was a necessary reaction to the persecution that Iraqi troops were inflicting on innocent citizens of the Middle East. Hussein abused his power and exploited the people of Iraq. Nations from around the world joined in trade embargoes against the tyrannical state of Iraq. Such acts of violence should not be allowed to occur. Thankfully the world’s leaders agreed. The need for these organizations to take action against such dictators is eminent.

Before such organizations were established to fight tyrannies and fascist governments, many dictators had no reason to hold back from ruling their people unfairly. For instance, no more than sixty years ago the horrible regime of Adolf Hitler began to take place in Europe (Brooke 128). In the late nineteen-thirties, Hitler began to take power and mold his new system of conquering and ruling. No one stood up to his effort and the United States merely shrugged their shoulders and almost ignored Hitler’s threat. It wasn’t until about nineteen forty-two when Americans finally allied with Britain, Free France, Poland, Norway and many other nations in the war against Germany. The world rose once again to defend the common people, in this case, Jews and anyone who stood in Hitler’s way. One of the many problems with leaders like Hitler is that he was an extremely intelligent, charismatic ruler. During his reign, the economy of Germany flourished. This is a common reason that dictators can be self-appointed, but then because of their successful deeds be ignored by opposition because of their successful deeds. Organizations to prevent this from ever happening again were created immediately after these terrible, horrific scenes took place during World War II.

Perhaps the most significant of all examples of aristocratic governments coming to a failure was the birth of our own nation. In seventeen seventy-six, Congress appointed a man by the name of Thomas Jefferson to draft a Declaration of Independence. In the first part of the document Jefferson stated “?the responsibility of a government was to protect, “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” (Brinkley 117). On September 17, 1787 thirty-nine middle class, common delegates from all over New England signed the constitution ensuring that this newly born nation would never again fall victim to the oppression of Great Britain. They would never allow this new nation to become a monarchy, and instituted certain inalienable rights to its citizens (Brinkley 156). The people of the United States of America had been oppressed and taken advantage of for years and could no longer put up with the control of Great Britain.

Another example of a nation uprising to fight a tyrannical government is seen in France during the 18th century. By 1789, the French government of Louis XVI was in trouble, significant discontent was evident throughout the country. It is difficult for people to survive and raise a family amidst raising prices, lowered wages, and excessive financial burdens (Woodberry). The people’s discontent led to the overthrow of the French government and the shaping of a new Democratic-Republic (TeBrake 71).

Yet another example of a recent dictatorship that attracts the attention of the world is the Cuba Crisis. The self-appointed ruler of Cuba, Fidel Castro, has established a corrupt, oppressive government and forced the United States to institute a trade embargo with Cuba. His people are constantly being persecuted and exploited. Many Cuban victims risk death fleeing from the harsh rule of Castro to the United States for refuge.

Many would agree that recent as well as past history has proven and exemplified the need for a fair, equal-powered system of government. Whenever supreme power is wielded by a single human being, as it is in monarchies and aristocracies, it leaves too much room for human greed and corruption. Throughout history it has been clearly shown that whenever this is the case, corruption is eminent. In the movie Braveheart, Mel Gibson portrayed the role of the Scottish rebel William Wallace, who led his people to freeing Scotland from oppressive English rule. Gibson eloquently explained the abuse of power by nobles when he said, “There is a difference between you and me, you think that the people of Scotland exist to provide you with money and power, I believe you exist to provide the people of Scotland with freedom”(Braveheart).

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