Mammar Gaddafi Influence

Muammar Gaddafi Throughout history, we have seen many affected greatly, either positively or negatively, by the leaders of their countries. Some leaders genuinely wish for the greater good for all of their beloved people, and their actions reflects that. On the other hand, there are selfish, power-seeking leaders that take advantage of their power and status as well as their people. Muammar Gaddafi started at the bottom; being born in Sirte, Libya into an African tribal family by the name of al-Qadhafah. This tribe traveled through the desert and lived in Bedouin tents, which are quite sizeable, typically ranging from twenty to thirty feet in length. Growing up, he idolized Abdel Nasser, an Egyptian leader, which motivated his interest
Mao and Gaddafi are similar in the idea that they came into power to change. Mao implemented changes as soon as he took office as well, but on a much larger scale. Mao attempted to eliminate all of Western culture and influences from Chinese culture, with the help of his youthful Red Guards that enforced the change at their own will (5). Mao was very much so anti- Western, as was Gaddafi. Similar to Mao’s Little Red Book (6), Gaddafi had a Little Green Book (4), which provided a basic set of rules to live by as well as a summary of how they were expected to think and live. Both rulers banned all opposition to their rule. Soon after Gaddafi came into power, he closed all British and American military bases in Libya, outlawed gambling and alcohol, nationalized foreign petroleum assets, and reinstituted the Quranic law of punishments being directly related to the committed crime (1). In other words, the hand of a thief might be amputated to ensure they cannot steal, and to invoke fear to the rest of the population to prevent crime. Later in his rule, criminalizing homosexuality was also put into effect, with the punishment of homosexuality being up to five years in prison. Engaging in political conversation with foreigners was punishable by up to three years in prison, and forming political parties was a capital crime (1). He
In the beginning and for the majority of his rule, the punishments for crimes were viewed as seemingly harsh. Likewise, people that were on Mao’s bad side were bombarded, publically humiliated, and lost their right of privacy. In the Red Scarf Girl, her whole family was looked down upon because of their black class status, and their home was invaded multiple times by the Red Guards (7). With the Quranic law implemented, theft was punishable by amputation of hands and adultery by 100 lashes; prisoners were also tortured and killed by government officials. Public executions were rebroadcasted on state television channels (1). The changes listed in the above paragraph were looked down upon, but his eccentric ruling style and strange, costume-like outfits distracted from his brutality. Mao brainwashed his people, mainly the youth, and convinced them that the brutality was necessary in order to eliminate western culture and create a new, better way of life (5). Gaddafi was despised internationally because of his support for terrorist groups such as the Black Panthers, Nation of Islam, and the Irish Republican Army, which he financed. (4). In later years, people began to disagree with what started to be viewed as cruel and unusual punishment and his power and position as dictator was threatened. In January 2011, the Tunisian Revolution forced dictator Ben Ali out,