Introduction
In the history of every country and nation there are figures of significance that have influenced its development in one way or another. These may come from different fields and have different degrees of importance, but one can safely assume that a founder of a state is likely the most important figure in its history. However, there is not just one way of founding a country, as different states throughout history came to be through different scenarios. As a result, the means employed by the founders of different countries differ as well depending on the political situation at the period. This is why comparing the experiences of leaders who have founded their respective states through different ways would be worthwhile, and these leaders could learn much from each other. Inviting George Washington, Qasim bin Muhammad al-Thani, and William the Conqueror to a dinner would produce an interesting conversation between leaders who have founded their countries through revolution, political maneuvering, and conquest, respectively.
Main body
George Washington would be a welcome guest at a dinner party of the historical founders of different countries, as he may well be a textbook example of a revolutionary founder. A Virginia gentleman, he was a skilled officer who distinguished himself during the American campaigns of the Seven Years War, who never missed an opportunity “deepen his knowledge of the art of war” (Hayes, p. 176). When the Continental Congress voted for independence, Washington became the natural military leader of the revolutionary forces and assumed “a leading role in military planning” (Hayes, p. 176). He led the Continental Army throughout the war, and his final victory at Yorktown in 1781 “effectively ended any British hope of winning” (Hayes, p. 188). Apart from his military role in the revolution, he also presided in the Constitutional Convention and, in 1789, was elected the first President of the United States (Hayes, p. 262). Thus, George Washington established himself as a military leader and politician alike, and his role in the formation of the USA was twofold. First, he gained the country’s independence in the Revolutionary War, and then he shaped it as its first Supreme Executive.
Qasim bin Muhammad al-Thani is roughly as important in the history of Qatar as George Washington is in the history of the United States. This widely recognized importance is well deserved, as the people usually recognize him as the founder of modern Qatar. He had consolidated his power over the entire Qatar peninsula and then had to lead his country through a turbulent period of the late 19th century. In 1872, he had to recognize the protectorate of the Ottoman Empire over his country to receive protection from Bahrain (Zahlan, p. 92). Throughout his reign, he had to carefully balance the influence of the Ottoman Empire, which sought to strengthen its position in Arabia, and Great Britain, which protected its interest in the Persian Gulf (Zahlan, pp. 92-93). Thus, Qasim bin Muhammad al-Thani had to guard the fragile existence of his newly-formed country not by the force of arms, but through shrew political maneuvering. The fact that Qatar was able to survive as a country and eventually became independent testifies that he was a capable state-founder and would find common themes with Washington and William the Conqueror.
Finally, William the Conqueror would be a good company for Washington and Qasim al-Thani, as he would complement their experiences of state-building with his own. William was a ruler of Normandy, the duchy in contemporary northern France, and, in the 1060s, he designed a plan to conquer England and become not a duke, but a full-fledged king. In 1066, he landed on English soil with a large army and soundly defeated King Harold from the House of Godwin in the famous battle of Hastings (Bates). Following his victory, he subjugated the entire country and began the Norman rule over England that continued through the entire Middle Ages (Bates). This was the last time England succumbed to a foreign invader and, consequentially, the foundation of England as the world currently knows it. Hence, William’s experience as a state founder is different from those of Washington and Qasim al-Thani. He used force rather than political maneuvering but established his power through the war of conquest rather than the war of independence.
Conclusion
As one can see, George Washington, Qasim bin Muhammad al-Thani, and William the Conqueror would be interesting guests at a dinner party, as they were all founders of their respective countries. George Washington had largely shaped the United States into what it is today, first winning the country’s independence in the Revolutionary War and then serving is for two terms as its first President. Qasim bin Muhammad al-Thani was able to secure the existence of his country, which was surrounded by more powerful empires, in the turbulent political climate. William the Conqueror established his rule over England in a successful war of conquest. Thus, all three would find interesting themes to talk about, comparing and sharing their experiences and their methods as state-founders.
References
- Bates, David. William the Conqueror. Yale UP, 2016.
- Hayes, Kevin J. George Washington: A Life in Books. Oxford UP, 2017.
- Zahlan, Rosemarie S. The Creation of Qatar. Barnes & Noble Books, 2016.