“Unmasking History’s Darkest Figures: 14 Bigots Who Shaped the World in Unexpected Ways”
Mugabe’s later years were characterized by a growing authoritarianism and a disregard for human rights, leaving Zimbabwe deeply divided.
11. Jean-Marie Le Pen
French politician Jean-Marie Le Pen built his career on nationalism, xenophobia, and anti-immigrant rhetoric. As the founder of the far-right National Front, Le Pen promoted policies aimed at limiting immigration and preserving what he called “French identity.”
Le Pen’s influence on French politics has had a lasting impact. His daughter, Marine Le Pen, continues his political legacy in today’s far-right movements.
12. King Leopold II of Belgium
King Leopold II’s rule over the Congo Free State is one of the darkest chapters of colonialism. Under his control, millions of Congolese were forced into labor, suffering brutal violence and exploitation in the name of profit. It’s estimated that around 10 million people died as a result of his policies.
Leopold’s regime is a stark example of how racial bigotry and greed fueled the horrors of European imperialism in Africa.
13. Jefferson Davis
As the President of the Confederacy during the American Civil War, Jefferson Davis fought to preserve the institution of slavery, a system built on the dehumanization of Black people. His defense of the Confederacy and its racist foundations has made him a symbol of bigotry in American history.
