Leadership is defined as the “process of social influence in which one person can enlist and aid the support of others in the accomplishments of a common task.” Whether this is describing Hitler’s efforts in Germany or Machiavelli writing The Prince in Italy, one common characteristic these two great impressionable men had was the ability to lead and influence not just one, but also many. Was Hitler’s downfall from power a result of veering from Machiavelli’s advice? Had Hitler continued to follow the advice found in Machiavelli’s The Prince he most likely would have remained in power. When Hitler was seemingly following Machiavelli’s advice, he was at his peak of power concerning how many kinds of soldiery and mercenaries there were, …show more content…
In 1511, Machiavelli was a Florentine diplomat respected by many. He was a highly esteemed scholar and agent of Piero Soderini, an Italian statesman of the Republic, and was often sent aboard to represent Florence. Machiavelli strongly objected how heavily the Florentine government relied on its French allies, after the French bailed; Florence was left to face the papacy. The papacy was strong and indestructible due to its alliance with Spain causing the Florentine armies to be crushed and a collapse in government. The powerful merchant banker family, the Medicis’, returned to rule the city again. Machiavelli was thought to be part of a conspiracy and was thrown in prison, here they tortured and threatened him for a long duration of time. Later, he was released as an exile and returned to his country where he wrote The Prince. This book was a gift from Machiavelli to Lorenzo and a plea to the Medicis’. Machiavelli never regained political position or power that he had once had and it wasn’t till after his death that this book would be published shedding light in his name. It acted as advice for many leaders to come on how to achieve and maintain power through many different