They captured public's attention
with the power of their words.
- Wording is sloppy here
Welcome to watchmojo.com, and today we're counting down
our pics from the top 10 most powerful speakers in history
- Little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands
with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.
I have a dream today!
For the list we'll be ranking
the most influential historical personalities
who used their oratory talents
for major social change during their lives,
for better or worse
(German)
It isn't always wild gesticulations and booming voices
that grab the crowd's attention.
Case in point, Mahatma Gandhi
a leader for Indian independence
who is known for his soft spoken demeanour
and policies of non-confrontational civil disobedience, or ahimsa
- To gain independence, we must prove worthy of it
One of Gandhi's most famous speeches, 'Quit India'
saw the leader call upon Indians
to utilize passive resistance against Britsh occupation of the country
and decline to participate in World War II.
This practice involved boycotts on British products
including government schooling,
while Gandhi himself went on fasts and hunger strikes,
which often left him severely weakened
- That's right, I have so much tolerance for the other scoundrels of the world.
Nevertheless, Gandhi caused significant social change
by backin up his compelling speeches with action
making him an enduring figure in historical public speaking
- All that has happened is that I've grown a little sinner
Ancient Rome.
A legendary empire held itself as the pinnacle of government and culture
and, in turn, influenced the Western civilisation.
The text from this era that survived
give an idea of the compelling arguments
used by preeminent figures of the day.
One of these was ordered Marcus Tulius Cicero
- We are all of us imperfect in our way
He was taught both in Latin and Greek,
meaning he learned from yet another important culture,
which had great speakers
like the first citizen of Athens himself, Pericles.
It was that grasp on language that allowed Cicero to translate
much of Greece's rhetoric into Latin
- It always comes to this
Cicero was also involved in government and law
where he utilised rhetoric
to convince all who listened of his arguments,
including the generations of politicians lawyers and public figures,
who study his work today.
- The works of Cicero, powerfully relevant 2077 years later
- The history and the destiny of our countries
have been and always will be
inextricably intertwined.
Early in her career
Thatcher was quoted to saying:
"I don't think there will be a woman Prime Minister
in my lifetime".
But, she was obviously proven wrong.
Taking office in May 1979,
Thatcher was quicly nicknamed The Iron Lady.
- They're welcomed to call me
what they like if they believe,
but we should ignore the build-up
of Russian military strengths.
Thatcher was the first woman to be British Prime Minister,
and also held the position the longest
out of anyone in the 20th century.
Thatcher's longevity as P.M. is in part
thanks to her controversial and unyielding style
of speech and leadership.
- When evil has to be overcome,
then Britain will take up arms [MP's: Yea]
Indeed, public opinion of Thatcher's policy
on deregulation, labour and privatisation of businesses
was so strong,
that her influence continues to be felt today,
both in Britain and around the world.
- Where there is discord, may we bring home.
Where there is error, may we bring truth.
- I know it's hard to understand,
but, sometimes painful things like this happen.
It's all part of the process of exploration and discovery.
The 40th President of the United States
may have first found fame as an actor.
- I won't take charity
But his legacy as America's commander-in-chief
earned him the nickname The Great Communicator.
This monicker was merited in part thanks to Reagan's ability
to connect with an audience during speeches.
- Mr. Gorbachov, tear down this wall. (Audience cheer)
This was largely due to the perception
that the former president
came across as sincere, simple and honest,
using terms people could understand,
but also being succint and quotable.
The country may not have always agreed with Reagan's policies,
but they almost always paid attention
whenever he took the podium for a speech.
- Bur if history teaches anything,
it teaches that simple-minded appeasement
or a wishful thinking about our adversaries is folly.
- Poverty is not natural,
it is man-made,
and it can be overcome
and erradicated
by the actions of human beings.
Nelson Mandela gave a speech in 1964
while on trial in Apartheid South Africa
that remains one of the most important and iconic addresses
of the 20th Century.
(Mandela) I am the first accused.
I am a convicted prisoner,
serving five years.
Speaking for three hours
this activist used the power of the spoken word
to resonate with his supporters
and to challenge those who had put him on trial.
Mandela stressed that he was willing to die
for his ideals of a democratic South Africa.
And it was this passionate belief behind his words
that made Mandela hero to many around the world.
- The walk to freedom and equality seems a lot,
still a long one ahead.
The sum of criticise Mandela's switch
to armed protest with the spear of the nation
after first spousing peaceful non-violent solutions,
the leader's legacy remains firmly entrenched
within the culture of South Africa.
- If I cannot have changed
when circumstances demanded,
how can I expect others too?
Roosevelt's public speaking style
is perfectly encapsulated by the fireside chats,
a series of radio broadcasts that he used
to discuss directly with the American people
such issues as unemployment, finance,
and the costs of fighting a war overseas.
These chats led the United States
through both the Great Depression and Worl War II
during his tenure as president.
- Hostilities exist.
It was the perceived intimacy of these chats
that likely led to Roosevelt's popularity among his supporters,
as they served as a comforting presence
during times of troubling, uncertainty and danger.
- The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.
His presence and assurance were especially needed
followin the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941.
In under 8 minutes he gave what is known as The Infamy Speech,
convincing almost everyone
that it was time to proclaim war.
(German)
The rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Movement
continues to be a chilling reminder
of how a powerful and zealous oratory presence can be
in persuading a population.
Indeed, Hitler made over 5.000 speeches in his lifetime
and it was instrumental
in one of the most deplorable periods in history
through an almost supernatural ability
to tap into the fears and prejudices
of an entire nation.
(German)
Charisma and presence were just the two ingredients needed
to spark the powder keg
that became World War II Germany.
- I'm forming the revisional Reich governments.
I will be in charge of the police,
General Ludendorff will be in charge of the arms.
However, it was also Hitler's ability
to find the right thing to say at the right times
that managed to strike at the hearts of German citizens.
(German)
- I have a dream, that one day (Woman: yeah!)
this nation will rise up
and leave out the true meaning of its creed.
King's talent's and knowledge in public speaking
made him more than just an icon
of the Civil Rights Movement
that included other powerful speakers like Malcom X.
- But I don't believe in forcing my desire for brotherhood
upon those who aren't willing to accept it.
Dr. King's iconic status as an order is due not only
to the passion of the words he chose,
also the manner with which they were delivered.
Like the true preacher he was,
King always appeared confident at the podium
and spoke with the relax and cadence
that seemed to put audiences at ease.
- Because no lie can live forever. (Audience: Yes, Sir)
How long? Not long! (Audience: Not long!)
Add to this the fact that King
increased that impression of genuineness
by rarely referencing his prepared materials
during famous moments like his 'I Have a Dream' speech,
and you have a recipe
for one of history's finest public speakers.
- Cause I have a dream, (Crowd: clap)
that my four little children (Man: Yes, sir!)
will one day live in a nation
where they will not be judged
by the colour of their skin
but by the content of their character.
I have a dream today! (Crowd: clap)
- Let all our neighbours know
that we shall join with them
to oppose aggression and subversion
anywhere in the Americas.
American presidents are often placed to front and centre
as some of history's greatest public speakers.
JFK may not have served as his nation's president for long,
but in his almost three years in office
he managed to make a lasting impact on the country,
a significance that still resonates today.
- We preach freedom around the world, and we mean it,
and we cherish our freedom here at home.
This was not only due to Kennedy's youthful demeanour
and natural body language,
but also his ability to use the tone and volume of his voice
in a constructive way to strengthen his message.
JFK utilized all of these skills to make famous speeches
like his 1961 Inaugural Adress.
- The energy, the fatih, the devotion.
And his Moon Speech at Rice University a year later,
both of which became milestones
of his short but memorable presidency.
- And therefore as we set sail we asked God blessing
on the most hazardous, and dangerous, and greatest adventure
on which man has ever embarked. Thank you.
Before we name our most impactful public speaker,
here are some honourable mentions.
- Abolishing slavery by constitutional provision
settles the fate for all coming time.
- Rather than go out and do something positive,
there are people as in every group, who look at those
who ever accomplished something and sit and criticise.
-(French) Voyez vous ce que je dis.
Il est pas facile que ça d'ajuster les politiques.
Public speaking can leave some people absolutely petrified
and this fear can afflict even the most talented orators,
like former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill
- Is it possible they do not realise
that we shall never seize to persevere against them
until they have been taught a lesson
which they and the world will never forget?
He conquered this fear through dedicated practice
and became PM in the thick of World War II.
HIs first speech in the position
positively inspired British Parliament.
Then, before the Battle of Britain
Churchill roused troops for their fight against Nazi Germany,
alligning himsef with them and motivating them.
- War with Germany will come,
and we will need a king
who we can all stand behind united.
Churchill carefully chose every word for speeches,
meticuously editing and making sure to maximise
their impact on his audience.
He was obviously successful, and as a result
Churchill solidified his position
as one of history's masters orators.
- That in the days to come
the British and the American people
will for their own safety
and for the good of all walk together
in majesty, in justice and in peace.
Do you agree with our list?
Which speaker do you think is at the most influence over an audience?
- (Obama) The American people did not choose this fight.
It came to our shores.
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- They're welcomed to call me
what they like if they believe,
but we should ignore the build-up
of Russian military strengths.