The great reformers endured a lot of abuse from their respective establishments.
Mahatma Gandhi or Nelson Mandaela in South Africa; even Jesus Christ, though he was more a radical reformer of the religious establishment, his followers had a great impact on society.
Catherine de Medici also comes to mind...she held France together during its worst period of religious conflict, with a policy of non-violence. She was regarded by Catholics as too weak, and by Protestants as too inflexible, and she was vilified by both sides. Her country was wracked by civil violence but she remained a proponent of temperance and toleration.
The greatest man in the history of the United States, in my opinion, was Abraham Lincoln. He was a man of deep religious belief, mostly Old Testament, though not an orthodox practioner of any religion.
Lincoln faced internal treason, was criticised by both sides, and had war thrust upon him by an evil and immoral conspiracy.
But by moral principles, faith, great management, and determination, Lincoln destroyed slavery in the United States.
What is really striking is that the majority of the examples we would agree on, were advocates of non-violent change, and showed
forgiveness and tolerance to their enemies both during the conflict and afterwards.
