🎖️Every Leader of America, Russia, and China Since 1975

What We’re Showing

This graphic tracks the leaders of China, Russia, and the United States since 1975 with dates sourced from Brittanica.

🇺🇸 U.S.

The president of the United States (POTUS) is the head of state & head of government of the U.S. He or she also serves as the commander-in-chief of the U.S. Armed Forces.

From this graphic, we can see that POTUS has regularly shifted back and forth between the Democrat and Republican parties. U.S. presidents cannot serve for more than two elected terms.

🇷🇺 Soviet Union/Russia

During the Soviet Union years, the highest ranking position was the general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. 

After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the highest office became the president of Russia. The Russian presidency is elected via popular vote to a six-year term, with a term limit of two terms.

Amendments made in 2020 have exempted Vladimir Putin from being term-limited by excluding his previous terms.

🇨🇳 China

Since 1989, the general secretary of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party has been the highest position in China.

Through a number of votes, general secretaries are elected for a five-year term (with no limits on reelection). The general secretary also becomes the China’s president, which is actually a ceremonial office.