Throughout history, rulers have always been thirsty for power and control over their subjects. Desire for power is a significant enduring issue because past and present autocrats used their power to restrict their citizens’ freedom and imply harsh punishments if they didn’t obey. We see this in three different autocrats’ rules: Shi Huangdi, Adolf Hitler, and Kim Jong Un.
Autocrats are rulers that have absolute power. We see in document 4, Some Characteristics of an Autocrat, that autocrats limit and control the power of nobles. This shows that people living under an autocrat rule have limited freedom and rights, similar to people that lived/ live under Shi Huangdi, Adolf Hitler, and Kim Jong Un’s rules. Living under rules such as these are incredibly restricting to citizens, making these autocrats overall, ignorant rulers. This ignorance in regards to the well-being of citizens could leave citizens in constant fear that they won’t be safe under a certain rule, or it could cause citizens to rebel against the government, leading to havoc and chaos.
Shi Huangdi is a perfect example of an autocrat that limited his subjects freedom. Shi Huangdi was an emperor that ruled during China’s Qin Dynasty. He began ruling after seven major states in China were fighting over power during The Warring States period. This period ended when Shi and his forces helped unify China. This info could make Shi Huangdi seem like a great ruler, but his beliefs proved otherwise. Shi followed a philosophy called Legalism. Legalists basically believe that all humans are bad and selfish, so rulers are allowed to create strict laws and punishments to create order.
As seen in excerpts from Sima Qian’s The Records of a Grand Historian, in document 1. “I humbly propose that all historical records but those of Qin be burned.” This piece of evidence said by Shi’s grand counselor, Li Si, shows that Shi only wanted his subjects to know about his “great” dynasty and his reign, and only follow his ideas and precedents. People who dared to oppose Shi would be subject to killing and other harsh punishments. “Those who in conversation dare to quote the old songs and records should be publicly executed.” As a result, people were constantly living in fear. Because people didn’t want to die or put their families in danger, the people had no other choice but to obey Shi Huangdi’s orders, helping him maintain his power until he passed.
Another autocrat who used cruel methods to eliminate all opposition was Adolf Hitler. According to document 5, 1938 – The Nazi SS in a Parade, Adolf Hitler led a group called the Nazis that had control of Germany. In 1934, the SS(Protective Squad),
which was a special guard for important Nazi leaders, became the private army of the Nazi party. This private army used brutal methods to murder not only political opponents, but anyone who even dared to speak against Hitler. Hitler’s methods we incredibly wrong and inhumane, and in the end, were only successful for a short period of time.
Even though it may seem that in that in today’s world, there aren’t people that exist that acted like Shi Huangdi and Adolf Hitler. But North Korean leader Kim Jong Un proves that to be incorrect. Though Kim Jong Un hasn’t killed hundreds of thousands of people like Shi and Hitler, he has limited the freedom of his citizens. Such as the citizens of North Korea aren’t in touch with the media like we are, and have no freedom of expression, making everyone very similar. Not only has Kim limited his citizens’ freedom, but previous generations before him also severely limited the freedom of the North Korean people. Kim Jong Un has been able to continue maintaining the power that his previous family created. Kim’s rule hasn’t brought any good to the citizens of North Korea, it’s only brought lack of freedom and basic human rights.
Three well known autocrats; Shi Huangdi, Adolf Hitler, and Kim Jong Un, have all used their desire to be incredibly powerful get in the way of their subjects having normal lives where they don’t have to fear for their and their family’ lives, and are free to express themselves. These rulers used their undeniable power to harshly punish those who don’t agree and limit their freedom, which has lead to nothing but pain and displeasure among citizens. Maybe if these rulers didn’t have absolute power, such as the President of the United States, their people wouldn’t have had to suffer as they did.
Ella Shaffer's High School Portfolio 