15 Times History Was Changed by a Single Person's Bad Decision
Here are 15 instances where one person's poor decision had monumental consequences.
- Daisy Montero
- 4 min read
History is often shaped by the decisions of individuals, and sometimes, a single poor choice can have far-reaching effects. Whether due to hubris, oversight, or sheer bad luck, these moments serve as cautionary tales of the profound impact individual actions can have on the course of history.
1. A Wrong Turn Sparks World War I
Carl Pietzner on Wikimedia Commons
In 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand’s driver took a wrong turn in Sarajevo, inadvertently passing by assassin Gavrilo Princip. This chance encounter led to the Archduke’s assassination, igniting a chain of events that culminated in World War I.
2. The Bay of Pigs Fiasco
Cecil Stoughton, White House on Wikimedia Commons
In 1961, President Kennedy approved a CIA-backed invasion of Cuba by exiles aiming to overthrow Fidel Castro. The poorly planned operation failed disastrously, strengthening Castro’s regime and escalating Cold War tensions.
3. King John’s Lost Treasure
British Mutoscope and Biograph Company on Wikimedia Commons
In 1216, King John of England ignored warnings about dangerous tides and attempted to cross the Wash estuary. His baggage train, including the Crown Jewels, was lost to quicksand, weakening his position during a civil war.
4. Stanislav Petrov Prevents Nuclear War
Karl Fischer on Wikimedia Commons
In 1983, Soviet officer Stanislav Petrov received a false alarm indicating a U.S. missile launch. Trusting his instincts, he reported it as a malfunction, potentially averting a catastrophic nuclear conflict.
5. The Soldier Who Spared Hitler
Richard Harvey (Regimental Archivist) on Wikimedia Commons
During World War I, British soldier Henry Tandey reportedly spared a wounded German soldier, Adolf Hitler. This act of mercy allowed Hitler to survive and later lead Nazi Germany into World War II.
6. A Monkey Bite Alters a War
Charles Chusseau-Flaviens on Wikimedia Commons
In 1920, King Alexander I of Greece was bitten by a monkey, leading to his death from sepsis. His untimely demise caused political instability, influencing the outcome of the Greco-Turkish War.
7. Ecologist’s Elephant Culling Backfires
Savory Global on Wikimedia Commons
Ecologist Allan Savory once advocated for culling 40,000 elephants to prevent desertification. Later, he realized that elephants were essential for maintaining the ecosystem, and their removal exacerbated land degradation.
8. Miscommunication Leads to Berlin Wall’s Fall
Unknown on Wikimedia Commons
In 1989, East German official Günter Schabowski mistakenly announced that border crossings were open “immediately.” This led to masses approaching the Berlin Wall, prompting guards to open the gates and effectively ending the division.
9. The Trojan Horse Deception
Juan de la Corte on Wikimedia Commons
The Trojans accepted a wooden horse left by the Greeks, unaware it concealed soldiers inside. This strategic blunder led to the fall of Troy, as Greek forces emerged from the horse and opened the city gates to their army.
10. Decca Records Rejects The Beatles
Decca Records, now property of Universal Music Group on Wikimedia Commons
In 1962, Decca Records declined to sign The Beatles, believing guitar groups were on the way out. The band later signed with EMI and became one of the most influential music groups in history.
11. Thalidomide Tragedy
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Wikimedia Commons
In the 1950s, thalidomide was marketed as a safe treatment for morning sickness. However, it caused severe birth defects in thousands of children, leading to stricter drug regulations worldwide.
12. Napoleon Delays at Waterloo
Andrea Appiani on Wikimedia Commons
Napoleon delayed attacking the Allied forces at Waterloo to let the ground dry after rain. This hesitation allowed the Prussians time to arrive and support the British, leading to his defeat.
13. Mao’s Four Pests Campaign
Unknown photographer on Wikimedia Commons
Mao Zedong launched a campaign to eradicate sparrows, believing they ate too much grain. Without sparrows, insect populations exploded, contributing to a famine that killed millions.
14. Ignoring Iceberg Warnings on the Titanic
Willy Stöwer on Wikimedia Commons
Despite multiple iceberg warnings, the Titanic maintained high speeds through icy waters. This decision led to its collision, which killed over 1,500 people.
15. NASA Greenlights Challenger Launch
Kennedy Space Center on Wikimedia Commons
Despite the engineers warning about cold temperatures affecting the shuttle’s O-rings, NASA approved the Challenger launch. The shuttle exploded 73 seconds into flight, killing all seven crew members.