Stalin and Hitler: Rise to Power and Key Differences

Economic conditions for rise to power

Post-war instability, economic crisis, and dissatisfaction with governments.

Difference in coming to power

Stalin rose via party politics; Hitler was legally appointed then seized full control.

Ideologies followed

Stalin: Communism. Hitler: Fascism, racial nationalism.

Shared method of consolidation

Terror, censorship, propaganda, secret police.

Difference in use of terror

Stalin used gulags/purges; Hitler used camps, targeted races.

Stalin's economic approach

Collectivization and industrialization via Five-Year Plans.

Hitler's economic approach

Rearmament, public works, and autarky.

Role of propaganda

Built cults of personality and controlled public opinion.

Foreign policy similarity

Used diplomacy tactically (e.g., Nazi-Soviet Pact).

Key social policy contrast

Stalin promoted class equality; Hitler promoted racial superiority.