Throughout history, there have been numerous cases where certain political figures gained power in a particular country and used their power and control to govern the people. In some cases, you can be successful and sustain your dominance for a long period of time. For others, however, the situation may prove different and ultimately lead to the disastrous end of a leader's rule. The success of a ruler depends on numerous factors. How a leader should and should not govern his people is not always clear and can vary based on the time period and characteristics of the region. These issues are discussed and explained by Niccolò Machiavelli in The Prince. Throughout the novel Machiavelli discusses an assorted variety of scenarios in which it is possible to gain dominion over a region. Machiavelli goes on to further elaborate how a ruler should act to triumph and achieve a desirable outcome. Although the novel was written centuries ago, in the 1600s, the information and advice it contains remains prevalent today. Indeed, when studying the history of selected political leaders, such similarities can be noted. One of the leaders in modern history who exemplifies and used some of Machiavelli's advice is Charles de Gaulle, military leader and president of France. Serving as an important and influential figure managing the Free French Forces, de Gaulle played a central role in shaping the way France is today. Charles de Gaulle's political methods and approaches, such as his rise to power, characteristics as a leader, and the means by which he governed France, are largely paralleled in Niccolò Machiavelli's The Prince. Essentially, one individual's road to power, dominance, and ... middle of paper ... with more attention, he could have been even more successful and extended his reign over an even longer period of time. Works Cited "Charles de Gaulle". Encyclopedia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online.Encyclopædia Britannica, 2011. Web. 28 July 2011. "Charles de Gaulle." World History: The Modern Era. ABC-CLIO, 2011. Web. July 28, 2011. Roberts, William J. "Gaulle, Charles de." France: A Reference Guide from the Renaissance to the Present, European Nations. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2004. Modern World History Online. Facts about Files, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp? ItemID=WE53&iPin=FRA0748&SingleRecord=True (accessed July 28, 2011).Sweets, John F. "De Gaulle, Charles Andre Joseph Marie." Advanced World Book. WorldBook, 2011. Web. 28 July 2011.