Historical Figures in Activism

Images of notable historical leaders known for political activism. The mood is serious, often portraying themes of struggle and change.

Photograph of Ngo Dinh Diem (1901-1963) first president of South Vietnam. Dated 1962

An Jung-geun, (1879 - 1910), Korean-independence activist, and pan-Asianist. On 26 October 1909, he assassinated Prince Ito Hirobumi, a four-time Prime Minister of Japan, former Resident-General of Korea, and then President of the Privy Council of Japan, following the signing of the Eulsa Treaty, with Korea on the verge of annexation by Japan. He was imprisoned and later executed by Japanese authorities on 26 March 1910.

Photograph of Sun Yat-sen (1866-1925) a Chinese physician, writer, philosopher, calligrapher, revolutionary, and President and Founding Father of the Republic of China. Dated 20th Century

Chen Duxiu (October 8, 1879 May 27, 1942) played many different roles in Chinese history. He was a leading figure in the anti-imperial Xinhai Revolution and the May Fourth Movement for Science and Democracy. Along with Li Dazhao, Chen was a co-founder of the Chinese Communist Party in 1921. He was its first General Secretary. Chen was an educator, philosopher, and politician. His ancestral home was in Anqing, Anhui, where he established the influential vernacular Chinese periodical 'La Jeunesse'. Chen came into conflict with Mao Zedong in 1925 over Mao's essay 'An Analysis of Classes in Chinese Society'. Although Mao had been one of Chen's students, he had begun to question Chen's analyses of China. While Chen believed that the focus of revolutionary struggle in China should primarily concern the workers, Mao had started to theorize about the primacy of the peasants. After the collaboration between the Communists and Nationalists collapsed in 1927, the Comintern blamed Chen, and system

Chiang Kai-shek (1887-1975) Chinese political and military leader in at the time he became head of the Koumintang in 1925. President of the Republic of China (anti-Communist) in Taiwan from 1949.

Photograph of Ngo Dinh Diem (1901-1963) first president of South Vietnam. Dated 1962

General Park Chung Hee - President of the Republic of Korea during the 1960s and 1970s.

J.H. Lee

Korean Crown Prince Yi Eun (1897-1970). Yi Eun was the 28th Head of the Korean Imperial House, an Imperial Japanese Army general and the last crown prince of Korea.

Zhou Enlai (1898-1976), from Shaoxing, Zhejiang province, was the chief editor of "Tianjin Student Union Newspaper" in Tianjin, he actively organized, led student movements in Tianjin. This is Zhou Enlai during the May Fourth Movement.

Sun Fo (1895-1973), an official in the government of the Republic of China who was the son of Chinese revolutionary Sun Yat-sen circa 1916.

Hua Guofeng (1921 - 2008), Chinese politician who served as Chairman of the Communist Party of China and Premier of the People's Republic of China, 1976 - 1981

Anefo photo collection. Sun Yat-Sen, Chinese politician. November 27, 1961

Mao Tse Tsung. Mao Zedong (December 26, 1893 - September 9, 1976), also known as Chairman Mao, was a Chinese communist revolutionary who was the founding father of the People's Republic of China (PRC), which he ruled as the chairman of the Chinese Communist Party from the establishment of the PRC in 1949 until his death in 1976.

South Korea, President, Park Chung He,

Zhou Enlai was the first Premier of the People's Republic of China, serving from October 1949 until his death in January 1976. Zhou was instrumental in the Communist Party's rise to power, and subsequently in the development of the Chinese economy and restructuring of Chinese society.

Portrait of Crown Prince Yi Un of Korea, late 1907

new Portraits from Peking -- Liu Shao-Chi. Vice-Chairman of the Central People's Government of the People's Republic of China. Liu Shao-Chi deputy Premier of Red China, sees Australia as part of Asia. August 9, 1951. (Photo by Camera Press).

China's New Premier Reads statement - Newly appointed Premier T. V. Soong (above), of China's National Government reads a statement to the press here today in which he pledged continued cooperation with the United Nations. May 31, 1945. (Photo by AP Wirephoto).

President Sukarno of the new Republic of Indonesia in 1945. After the Japanese surrender, Sukarno and Mohammad Hatta declared Indonesian independence on August 17, 1945. He led the revolution that ousted the Dutch in 1949. - (BSLOC_2014_15_176)

Yun Siang Tsai

Emilio Aguinaldo y Famy (1869 ñ 1964) Filipino revolutionary, politician, and a military leader who is officially recognized as the First President of the Philippines (1899ñ1901) and led Philippine forces first against Spain in the latter part of the Philippine Revolution (1896ñ1897), and then in the SpanishñAmerican War (1898), and finally against the United States during the PhilippineñAmerican War (1899ñ1901). He was captured by American forces in 1901, which brought an end to his presidency.

Kim Gu (1876 - 1949), also known by his pen name Baekbeom, in 1911. Korean statesman politician. He was the sixth, ninth and later the last President of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea, a leader of the Korean independence movement against the Japanese Empire and a reunification activist after 1945. He was assassinated by Korean lieutenant Ahn Doo-hee in 1949.

Zhou Enlai was the first Premier of the People's Republic of China, serving from October 1949 until his death in January 1976. Zhou was instrumental in the Communist Party's rise to power, and subsequently in the development of the Chinese economy and restructuring of Chinese society.

Shigenogu Okuma, Premier of Japan

Deng Xiaoping (1904 - 1997), was a Chinese politician who was the paramount leader of the People's Republic of China from 1978 until his retirement in 1992. After Chairman Mao Zedong's death in 1976, Deng led China through far-reaching market-economy reforms and has been called the "Architect of Modern China."

T.T. Lou

12/31/1957. Photo: Gil de Espinar. Generalissimo Chang Kai Chek, who has been elected president of the republic of China.

Elsevier photo collection. L.n. Palar, former parliament, Republican delegation Security Council. 1948

Bing Joe, circa 1920, Wellington, by Berry & Co.

Yu Xiusong (1899-1939), a member of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Shanghai Initiation Group, was one of the earliest party members of the CCP. He used to be the first secretary of the Chinese Socialist Youth League, the secretary-general of the Xinjiang Anti-Imperial Federation, and the president of Xinjiang College.

Emilio Aguinaldo y Famy (1869 ñ 1964) Filipino revolutionary, politician, and a military leader who is officially recognized as the First President of the Philippines (1899ñ1901) and led Philippine forces first against Spain in the latter part of the Philippine Revolution (1896ñ1897), and then in the SpanishñAmerican War (1898), and finally against the United States during the PhilippineñAmerican War (1899ñ1901). He was captured by American forces in 1901, which brought an end to his presidency.

Mao Zedong (1893 - September 9, 1976), was a Chinese communist revolutionary who became the founding father of the People's Republic of China (PRC), which he ruled as the Chairman of the Communist Party of China from its establishment in 1949 until his death

Ne Win (born on 24 May or 14 May 1911 or 10 July 1910 - 5 December 2002) was a politician and military commander. He was Prime Minister of Burma from 1958 to 1960 and 1962 to 1974 and also head of state from 1962 to 1981. He also was the founder and from 1963 to 1988 the chairman of the Burma Socialist Programme Party, which from 1964 until 1988 was the sole political party in the Burmese nation state.

Duan Qirui (Chinese: 祺瑞; pinyin: Duàn Qíruì; Wade-Giles: Tuan Ch'i-jui) (6 March 1865 - November 2, 1936) was a Chinese warlord and politician, commander in the Beiyang Army, and the Provisional Chief Executive of Republic of China (in Beijing) from November 24, 1924 to April 20; 1926. He was arguably the most powerful man in China from 1916 to 1920.

South Korea's Ambassador to Washington: Dr. Chang. March 06, 1951. (Photo by Camera Press).

Leaders Of Viet Minh: President Ho Chi Minh. June 28, 1954. (Photo by Camera Press).

Lon Nol (November 13, 1913 - November 17, 1985) was a Cambodian politician and soldier who served as Prime Minister of Cambodia twice, as well as serving repeatedly as Defense Minister. He led a military coup against Prince Norodom Sihanouk and became President of the Khmer Republic. Lon Nol fled Cambodiain April, 1975, first settling in Hawaii and then in Fullerton, California. He died on November 17, 1985.

Roh Tae-woo (born 1932), former South Korean politician and army general who served as President of South Korea from 1988 to 1993. He was a leader of the Democratic Justice Party and is known for passing the June 29 Declaration in 1987.

Wang Ming (1904 - 1974)senior leader of the early Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the mastermind of the famous 28 Bolsheviks group.1 Wang was also a major political rival of Mao Zedong during the 1930s, opposing what he saw as Mao's nationalist deviation from the Comintern and orthodox Marxist-Leninist lines.

Zhou Enlai was the first Premier of the People's Republic of China, serving from October 1949 until his death in January 1976. Zhou was instrumental in the Communist Party's rise to power, and subsequently in the development of the Chinese economy and restructuring of Chinese society.

Man black-and-white negatives, gelatin silver negatives, studio portraits

Araki Sadao, General, Ex-Minister of War. November 5, 1936.

Langfang, China: December 29, 1925 A portrait of the Chinese General Hsu Shu-Ching, "Little Hsu" who was killed today by an assassin's bomb thrown at his railway car. The assassin was Lu-Chang-wu, who was the son of General Lu Chien-Chang, who had been shot by "Little Hsu", while an invited guest at a banquet.

H Chí Minh 1890 - 2 September 1969, Vietnamese communist revolutionary leader who was prime minister (1945-1955) and president (1945-1969) of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam).

The chin of the Malaysian national hero widow is expelled.The President of the Republic of China Chiang Kai-shek intended the wife of the late Revolution guidebook and first chenesischen presidents Dr. Sunyatsen because of their ***** Connections to the Kuomintang of China reported. Porträt Frau Sunyatsen. August 22, 1946. (Photo by Atlantic Photo-Co.)

Anefo photo collection. Dr. J. E. Kararnoy (member of the federal government of Indonesia). January 19, 1948. Indonesia, Dutch East Indies

Prince Souphanouvong (July 13, 1909 January 9, 1995) was, along with his half-brother Prince Souvanna Phouma and Prince Boun Oum of Champasak, one of the 'Three Princes' who represented respectively the communist (pro-Vietnam), neutralist, and royalist political factions in Laos. He was the figurehead President of Laos from December 1975 to August 1991. Nicknamed 'The Red Prince', he became the figurehead leader of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, and upon its successful seizure of power in 1975, he became the first President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic (and President of the Supreme People's Assembly), a position which he held until his retirement in 1986.

Norodom Sihanouk (1922 ñ 15 October 2012) King of Cambodia from 1941 to 1955 and again from 1993 to 2005. He was the effective ruler of Cambodia from 1953 to 1970.

Kim Il sung (1912 - 1994), was the supreme leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, commonly referred to as North Korea, for 46 years, from its establishment in 1948 until his death in 1994

Alleged Major Japanese War Criminals : Sadao Araki, Former General, War Minister, member of the supreme war council, and Japanese education minister, is on trial at the international Military tribunal for the far east, Tokyo, Japan. August 23, 1947. (Photo by Skinner, U.S. Army Signal Corps).

Elsevier photo collection. Prof. Dr. P.A. Husein Djajadiningrat, Secretary Education, Arts Sciences; Delegate v.f.r. TER R.T.C., advisor Dutch delegation. 1948. Hague, Indonesia, Indonesia, Dutch East Indies

Communist China Premier -- Chou En-Lai, the number two communist of China, was named Premier of the new Chinese people's republic, at a Mammoth rally in Peking, Oct. 1. The proclamation was read by Mao Tze-Tung, newly-elected President of Communist China. January 10, 1949. (ACME).

Kim Il-sung 1912 1994, leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, North Korea, from its establishment in 1948 until his death in 1994

Mao Zedong (1893-1976), founding father of the Peoples Republic of China from its establishment in 1949. Mao remains a controversial figure to this day, with a contentious legacy that is subject to continuing revision and fierce debate.

Liang Qichao (Wade-Giles: Liang Ch'i-ch'ao; Styled Zhuoru, Pseudonym: Rengong, February 23, 1873-January 19, 1929) was a Chinese scholar, journalist, philosopher and reformist during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), who inspired Chinese scholars with his writings and reform movements. He died of illness in Beijing at the age of 55. As an advocate of constitutional monarchy, Liang was unhappy with the governance of the Qing Government and wanted to change the status quo in China. He organized reforms with Kang Youwei by putting their ideas on paper and sending them to Emperor Guangxu (緒帝, 1871-1908; reigned 1875-1908) of the Qing Dynasty. This movement is known as the Wuxu Reform or the Hundred Days' Reform. In the late 1920s, Liang retired from politics and taught at the Tung-nan University in Shanghai and the Tsinghua Research Institute in Peking as a tutor. He founded Chiang-hsüeh she (Chinese Lecture Association) and brought many intellectual figures to China, including Driesch and Ta

Liang Qichao (Wade-Giles: Liang Ch'i-ch'ao; Styled Zhuoru, Pseudonym: Rengong, February 23, 1873-January 19, 1929) was a Chinese scholar, journalist, philosopher and reformist during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), who inspired Chinese scholars with his writings and reform movements. He died of illness in Beijing at the age of 55. As an advocate of constitutional monarchy, Liang was unhappy with the governance of the Qing Government and wanted to change the status quo in China. He organized reforms with Kang Youwei by putting their ideas on paper and sending them to Emperor Guangxu (, 1871-1908; reigned 1875-1908) of the Qing Dynasty. This movement is known as the Wuxu Reform or the Hundred Days' Reform. In the late 1920s, Liang retired from politics and taught at the Tung-nan University in Shanghai and the Tsinghua Research Institute in Peking as a tutor. He founded Chiang-hsüeh she (Chinese Lecture Association) and brought many intellectual figures to China, including Driesch and Ta

Truong Chinh, Chairman Nat, Assembly. December 31, 1952. (Photo by Camera Press)

China: Pu-Yi (1906-1967), Emperor of Manchukuo (1932-1945)

Ibrahim (Abai) Qunanbaiuly (1845 - 1904) was a Kazakh poet, composer and Hanafi Maturidi theologian philosopher.

Photographic portrait of Chairman Mao (1893-1976) a Chinese communist revolutionary and founding father of the People's Republic of China. Dated 20th Century

Photograph of Nguyen Cao Ky, Vice President of South Vietnam, and chief of the Vietnam Air Force in the 1960s. Lived between 1930-2011.

Wong Yau Kwong, 20 October 1930, Wellington, by Cuba Photographic Studio.

Philippine Politicians: Carlos P. Garcia Vice-President and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Philippines. September 30, 1954. (Photo by Camera Press).

Japan: Yukio Mishima (1925-1970), Japanese author, poet, playwright, actor and film director, as a young boy at Gakushuin Primary School, 1931

'Antonio Gramsci (1891-1937) Italian writer, political philosopher, Marxist thinker, and linguist. Postcard issued in 1934 with legend by Georgi Dimitroff when Gramsci was imprisoned by Mussolini's Fascist regime.'

Masayoshi Kayto.

Ananda Mahidol (1925 ñ 1946) monarch of Thailand from the House of Chakri as Rama VIII. recognised as king by the National Assembly in March 1935, he was a nine-year-old boy living in Switzerland. He returned to Thailand in December 1945, but six months later in June 1946, he was found shot dead in his bed.

Park Chung-hee (1917 - 1979) was a South Korean general who served as the leader of South Korea from 1961 until his assassination in 1979; ruling as a de facto military dictator from 1961 to 1963, then as the country's de jure third president from 1963 to 1979, after Rhee Syngman and Yun Posun.

Mr Koki Hirota, former premier, is seen proceeding to the Imperial Places, where several senior statement discussed the recommendation to the Throne that Prince Fumimaro Konoe be chose as Premier. July 17, 1940. (Photo by The Domei News Photos Service).

Martin, Robert. Central Plains Region (Kansas City, MO). Photographic Print. Department of the Interior. Bureau of Indian Affairs. Flandreau School and Agency. 9/17/1947-. Photographs

Koo Vi Kyuin or Ku Wei-chün (simplified Chinese: 维钧; traditional Chinese: 顧維鈞; pinyin: Gù Wéijūn; Wade-Giles: Ku Wei-chün) (January 29; 1887 - November 14; 1985); often known by the Western name V. K. Wellington Koo; was a prominent diplomat under the Republic of China; representative to the Paris Peace Conference of 1919; Ambassador to France; Great Britain; and the United States; participant in founding the League of Nations and the United Nations; and judge on the International Court of Justice at the Hague from 1957 to 1967. Between October 1926 and June 1927; while serving as Minister of Foreign Affairs; Koo briefly held the concurrent positions of acting Premier and interim President of the Republic of China. Koo is the first and only Chinese head of state known to use a Western name publicly.

Touby Lyfoung (1917-1979) was a Hmong political and military leader. Born in 1917 in Nong Het, Laos, he became the first Hmong politician to achieve national prominence. During his long career, which began under French colonial rule and extended to the communist takeover in 1975, he supported the Royal Lao Government and American involvement in the Secret War.

PEDRO HENRIQUEZ UREÑA - (1884-1946). Author: JOSE MARIA LOPEZ MEZQUITA (1883-1954).

Ahmed Sukarno as HBS student (1916), Bung Karno Penjambung Lidah Rakjat Indonesia. Sukarno was president of Indonesia, 1945 - 1968

Crown Prince Akihito Tsugu - The Crown Prince Akihito Tsugu, only son of the Emperor and Empress of Japan celebrated his third birthday recently, and an informal banquet was held at the Imperial Palace. January 11, 1937. (Photo by Sport & General Press Agency, Limited).

Khmer Rouge Leadership: Khieu Samphan, born July 27, 1931, was the President of the State Presidium of Democratic Kampuchea) from 1976 until 1979. As such, he served as Cambodia's head of state and was one of the most powerful officials in the Khmer Rouge movement, though Pol Pot was the group's true political leader and held the most extensive power.

Thailand: Princess Indrasakdi Sachi (1902-1975), January 1922

Sanya Dharmasakti or Sanya Thammasak, pronounciation (5 April 1907 - 6 January 2002) was the 12th Prime Minister of Thailand. Professor Sanya Dharmasakti was one of the most influential political figures in Thailand. He served as the president of the Supreme Court (1968-1973), dean of the faculty of law and chancellor of the Thammasat University, vice president of the constitutional congress, Prime Minister from 1973-1975, and was requested by his Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej to serve as the president of the privy council.

Baron Dairoku Kikuchi

Anefo photo collection. Cardinal Mindszenty. November 20, 1962

Emperor of Annam. Bao Dai. July 15, 1935.

Trường Chinh (pseudonym meaning 'Long March', born Đặng Xun Khu (1907-1988) was a Vietnamese communist political leader and theoretician. From 1941 to 1957, he was Vietnam's second-ranked communist leader (after Hồ Chí Minh). Following the death of Lê Duẩn in 1986, he was briefly Vietnam's top leader. He is remembered as a communist hard liner with strong Maoist tendencies.

Anefo photo collection. PvdA main board. L.n. Palar member of the House of Representatives for the PvdA. February 19, 1946

A CHINESE WAR LORD IN BRIGHTONMarshal Chang Hsiao Lieng, who was chairman of the council governing Manchuria under the Nanking government, is now living in retirement in Brighton. Photo Shows:- Marshal Chang Hsiao Lieng, with his wife and daughter, in the luxurious Brighton ***** where they are now living. July 10, 1933. (Photo by The Topical Press Agency Ltd.).

Japan: Portrait of Shigeru Aoki (1882-1911), by Akebono Ryokan, early 20th century CE

Rajah: He is from Bali, where aristocrats are charming, intelligent. May 5, 1940. (Photo by Horace Bristol).

Churchman Kings of Speed Series cigarette card depicting John Peter Wakefield (1915-1942) was an English racing car driver. Dated 20th Century

Keo Meas (1926 - 1976) was a Cambodian communist politician and a leading figure within the United Issarak Front. He worked closely with Hanoi; but this made him an object of suspicion to Pol Pot and Nuon Chea. In 1975; shortly after the Khmer Rouge victory; he was taken to Tuol Sleng where he was presumably executed on Pol Pot's orders. The Khmer Rouge, or Communist Party of Kampuchea, ruled Cambodia from 1975 to 1979, led by Pol Pot, Nuon Chea, Ieng Sary, Son Sen and Khieu Samphan. It is remembered primarily for its brutality and policy of social engineering which resulted in millions of deaths. Its attempts at agricultural reform led to widespread famine, while its insistence on absolute self-sufficiency, even in the supply of medicine, led to the deaths of thousands from treatable diseases (such as malaria). Brutal and arbitrary executions and torture carried out by its cadres against perceived subversive elements, or during purges of its own ranks between 1976 and 1978, are consid

Tony Leung photographed by Fred Holland day 1911.

China: Puyi, last Emperor of China, with Empress Consort Wan Rong, last empress of China, Tianjin, c. 1925

Anefo photo collection. Arrival Minister Mashuri (head) from O.V. and W. in Indonesia at Schiphol. October 22, 1968. Noord-Holland, Schiphol

Dr. Sun Yat Sen, front centre of group circa 1916. Sun Yat-sen was a Chinese revolutionary, first president and founding father of the Republic of China. Born: November 12, 1866, Zhongshan; Died: March 12, 1925, Beijing, China

CHIANG KAI-SHEK Chinese general and politician

Ahmed Sukarno 1901-1970 was the first President of Indonesia from 1945-1967

GONZALEZ ANAYA, SALVADOR. ESCRITOR ESPAÑOL. MALAGA 1879-1955. REPRODUCCION FOTO.

LI HUNG-CHANG Chinese statesman, ambassador to France, prime minister. Date: 1823 - 1901

Marie-Therese Nguyen Huu Thi Lan, later Imperial Princess Nam Phuong and Empress Nam Phuong (14 December 1914 - 16 December 1963), was the first and primary wife of Bao Dai, the last king of Annam and last emperor of Vietnam from 1934 until her death. She also was the first and only empress consort (hoang hau) of the Nguyen Dynasty (1804-1945).

Ahmed Sukarno (1901 1970) the first President of Indonesia, serving in office from 1945 to 1967.

Miss Kay Fukuda, U.S.C.N.. Ansel Adams's Photographs of Japanese-American Internment at Manzanar.

James Shigeta, Head and Shoulders Publicity Portrait for the Film, "Midway", Universal Pictures, 1976

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