Totalitarianism: Wages of Power
Over the years, powerful dictators such as Joseph Stalin and Adolf Hitler have come to power. However, with power comes great risks and sacrifices. After Germany was left devastated and in complete debt, Hitler rose as their savior. Russia’s agricultural failure left Russia in complete poverty and starvation, allowing the country to be vulnerable to people like Joseph Stalin. With these powerful dictators came reconstruction and economy increase, however, not only did these supposed “great” dictators produce positive impacts. Along with their achievements came numerous murders and devastation.
Contents:
Contents:
- Public Issues
- Opposition
- Inhumane Characteristics
- Paranoia
- Not-So-Happy Ending
- Distant Relationships
Publicity Issues
In order to become a dictator one must stand out among other political movements. Both Stalin and Hitler faced publicity issues. To outshine their competitors, they relied majorly on propaganda. Their climb to power was a challenge and faced popularity obstacles.
In order to become a dictator one must stand out among other political movements. Both Stalin and Hitler faced publicity issues. To outshine their competitors, they relied majorly on propaganda. Their climb to power was a challenge and faced popularity obstacles.
Opposition
Once in power these dictators faced opposition. In order to maintain their position they must decide whether to “get rid” of the defiant or deal with them in a humane manner. To these dictators, power is all that is in their mind, meaning that they will destroy anyone or anything that stands in the way of their dictatorship. Stalin is one of many that provides a great example of the lengths dictators will go to diminish their threats. The Great Purge under Stalin from 1937 to 1938 swept away all of Stalin's enemies and to occupy the levels in the Soviet society, with a sense of insecurity and obedience to the "Great Leader." Signing on to dictatorship means signing on to murder.
Once in power these dictators faced opposition. In order to maintain their position they must decide whether to “get rid” of the defiant or deal with them in a humane manner. To these dictators, power is all that is in their mind, meaning that they will destroy anyone or anything that stands in the way of their dictatorship. Stalin is one of many that provides a great example of the lengths dictators will go to diminish their threats. The Great Purge under Stalin from 1937 to 1938 swept away all of Stalin's enemies and to occupy the levels in the Soviet society, with a sense of insecurity and obedience to the "Great Leader." Signing on to dictatorship means signing on to murder.
Inhumane
Along with murder, comes the loss of humanity. As these upcoming dictators rise to power, they have constructed beliefs of their own explaining what the possible solution of their problems might be. Once they are able to obtain the power they need, they go on to put their plan to action. While rising to power, Hitler built up the belief that the Jewish population was to blame for Germany’s loss in World War I, and their economic problems. Hitler's great solution was to banish the Jews from society. With his political message and promise to make Germany a large and economically powerful country, many Germans believed him. To set his plan in motion, he constructed thousands of concentration camps to discard of the Jewish population. Concentration camps were were camps that were held through harsh conditions and inhumane methods of disposing of the Jewish population. Millions of Jews were killed due to Hitler’s inhumanity and beliefs.
Along with murder, comes the loss of humanity. As these upcoming dictators rise to power, they have constructed beliefs of their own explaining what the possible solution of their problems might be. Once they are able to obtain the power they need, they go on to put their plan to action. While rising to power, Hitler built up the belief that the Jewish population was to blame for Germany’s loss in World War I, and their economic problems. Hitler's great solution was to banish the Jews from society. With his political message and promise to make Germany a large and economically powerful country, many Germans believed him. To set his plan in motion, he constructed thousands of concentration camps to discard of the Jewish population. Concentration camps were were camps that were held through harsh conditions and inhumane methods of disposing of the Jewish population. Millions of Jews were killed due to Hitler’s inhumanity and beliefs.
Paranoia
As one reaches dictatorship, they begin to build a sense of insecurity. Someone with much power and opposition learns that they must remain in guard and aware of their surroundings, therefore bringing us to the fourth cost of dictatorship: Loss of security. The Soviet Union was mainly based off of intrigue and backstabbing, explaining Stalin’s rise to power. Stalin’s frequent outmaneuvering and eliminating competition such as Trotsky and others makes him a huge target for his opponents. If you rise to power through murder and intrigue you're always going to be afraid that others will do the same to you. Besides paranoia toward your life, a dictator must secure their position. If one is not well-guarded, others will intent to remove them from position.
As one reaches dictatorship, they begin to build a sense of insecurity. Someone with much power and opposition learns that they must remain in guard and aware of their surroundings, therefore bringing us to the fourth cost of dictatorship: Loss of security. The Soviet Union was mainly based off of intrigue and backstabbing, explaining Stalin’s rise to power. Stalin’s frequent outmaneuvering and eliminating competition such as Trotsky and others makes him a huge target for his opponents. If you rise to power through murder and intrigue you're always going to be afraid that others will do the same to you. Besides paranoia toward your life, a dictator must secure their position. If one is not well-guarded, others will intent to remove them from position.
Distant Relationships
Dictator's grasp to dominance forces them to become distant to their fellow relatives. Combined with their tyrant state, they often tend to treat their family members in an abusive and cruel manner. Stalin demonstrates this, by the fact that he often verbally and physically abused his wife. After the supposed suicide of his wife, which was caused by her relationship with Stalin, his daughter escaped the Soviet Union and defected to the United States, leaving Stalin alone. Through their cruel ways, both with their country and family, they often distant themselves with their close ones.
Dictator's grasp to dominance forces them to become distant to their fellow relatives. Combined with their tyrant state, they often tend to treat their family members in an abusive and cruel manner. Stalin demonstrates this, by the fact that he often verbally and physically abused his wife. After the supposed suicide of his wife, which was caused by her relationship with Stalin, his daughter escaped the Soviet Union and defected to the United States, leaving Stalin alone. Through their cruel ways, both with their country and family, they often distant themselves with their close ones.