Adolf Hitler-Hitler is perhaps one of the most notorious characters of the 20th century. We know what atrocities were committed during the 12 years that Hitler led Nazi Germany and therefore we have very firm opinions about him.
- Hitler was principally, and alone, responsible for starting World War II. (This was different from the various responsibilities of rulers and of statesmen who had unleashed World War I). His guilt for the implementation of the Holocaust—that is, the shift of German policy from the expulsion to the extermination of Jews, including eventually Jews of all of Europe and of European Russia, is also obvious. Although there exists no single document of his order to that effect, Hitler’s speeches, writings, reports of discussions with associates and foreign statesmen, and testimony by those who carried out the actions have often been cited as evidence of his role. |
Joseph Stalin-During the quarter of a century preceding his death, the Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin probably exercised greater political power than any other figure in history. Stalin industrialized the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, forcibly collectivized its agriculture, consolidated his position by intensive police terror, helped to defeat Germany in 1941–45, and extended Soviet controls to include a belt of eastern European states.
- Stalin led his country through the post-war reconstruction, during which it developed a nuclear weapon in 1949. Since the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, Stalin has retained popularity in Russia and Georgia as a victorious wartime leader who established the Soviet Union as a major world power. |
Benito Mussolini-Benito Mussolini rose to power in Italy rapidly. Accompanied by his Fascist cohorts, the BlackShirts, Mussolini marched on Rome in 1922 and seized the government for the Fascist Party. Italy's monarch, Emmanuel III, capitulated to the Fascists and their sympathizers. Consequently, Emmanuel III named Mussolini Prime Minister of Italy; however, Mussolini soon became the dictator of Italy. A strong leadership which embodies the Fascist philosophy is characteristic of Fascism. Indeed, Mussolini as dictator, was indicative of a strong leadership. Mussolini has been quoted in reference to Fascist philosophy. The following quotation helps in part to identify Italian Fascism
- he forged the paramilitary fascist movement in 1919 and became prime minister in 1922. |