George Patton's The Prince In My AP US

When I read The Prince in my AP U.S. history class it was confusing, some words or concepts didn't make sense to me but that is normal for this class. The biggest question that arose from the reading was whether it is better to be feared than loved. This question led me to think about the many leaders or influential people that the United States has had and they all differ in ways, some like to be feared, others want to be loved. The leader I am talking about in this essay however wanted to be feared. George Patton was a United States Army officer. Patton was known for his Tank Warfare during World War 2. Patton was very strict and disciplined and this led him to go through many ranks in his career, his men referred to him as “Old blood and

This type of leadership led him to gain the nickname “old blood and guts”. Patton's leadership can be observed at the Battle of the Bulge where Patton led troops into the Bulge in Belgium, in seven days Patton rescued many Americans who were trapped, while at the same time dealing with the Nazis. It is said that no leader besides Patton could have done that, and that no one else has the willpower to do this but Patton. This is one example of Patton's fearless leadership and how he used it to accomplish many powerful feats. Another example of Patton's leadership was when he and his troops went to Sicily to try and capture the island from the power of Germany and Italy. Patton wrote in his diary before heading to Sicily “We will not be stopped”. Patton eventually landed his army in Sicily after a long fight. The fearful and courageous leadership of George Patton allowed him to land in Sicily, he said he knew that they would not be stopped and they were not and they won the unofficial race to Sicily. One example of Patton's leadership that shows Machiavellian principles is the way he led his troops in both Sicily and the Bulge. Patton was very aggressive and he led with anger and confidence, which allowed him to accomplish many things, this is also similar to the Machiavellian ideas because Machiavelli felt it was better to be cruel as a leader than merciful. Patton led with cruelty and showed no mercy, just like a Machiavellian