A Comparison of the Nazi and Soviet Governments of World War II
A Comparison of the Nazi and Soviet Governments of World War II
Despite being on opposing sides during World War II, the governments of the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany had many similarities. The two regimes were infamous for their corrupt militaristic governments and their use of propaganda and censorship to secure the loyalty and cooperation of their citizens. Most importantly, the policies towards minorities in Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia were the cause of mass violence and millions of deaths. Even though these two regimes had much in common, the differences lie within the similarities. Many ideals of the two parties were conflicting, ultimately resulting in war between them.
During the early 20th century, both Germany and Russia underwent several governmental changes. In 1924, Joseph Stalin became the head of the Russian Communist Party, making him the sole leader of the entire Soviet Union. Although the party had been in power since 1922, the new leadership of Stalin was much different than that of Lenin’s, who led the Bolsheviks through the Russian Revolution and succeeded in establishing the Soviet Union. Stalin’s use of censorship to eliminate dissent allowed no opposition to him or the Communist Party (“Soviet Union”). Censorship was also employed in Germany shortly after the National Socialist German Workers’ Party won the election of 1933, making Adolf Hitler the Chancellor of Germany. Barnhill writes that in 1934, “Hitler…ordered the arrest and execution of Ernst Roehm and other of the Sturmabteilung 's top leaders” who could have been possible threats to the Nazi Party. Not only did both nations eliminate any possible opposition, but they also prevented it by having total control over all forms of media. The majority of the time, citizens of Germany and Russia only read, listened, and viewed what their governments wanted them to (Shoptaugh). Mass destruction of books and other printed material took place in both countries, and only films and
Despite being on opposing sides during World War II, the governments of the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany had many similarities. The two regimes were infamous for their corrupt militaristic governments and their use of propaganda and censorship to secure the loyalty and cooperation of their citizens. Most importantly, the policies towards minorities in Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia were the cause of mass violence and millions of deaths. Even though these two regimes had much in common, the differences lie within the similarities. Many ideals of the two parties were conflicting, ultimately resulting in war between them.
During the early 20th century, both Germany and Russia underwent several governmental changes. In 1924, Joseph Stalin became the head of the Russian Communist Party, making him the sole leader of the entire Soviet Union. Although the party had been in power since 1922, the new leadership of Stalin was much different than that of Lenin’s, who led the Bolsheviks through the Russian Revolution and succeeded in establishing the Soviet Union. Stalin’s use of censorship to eliminate dissent allowed no opposition to him or the Communist Party (“Soviet Union”). Censorship was also employed in Germany shortly after the National Socialist German Workers’ Party won the election of 1933, making Adolf Hitler the Chancellor of Germany. Barnhill writes that in 1934, “Hitler…ordered the arrest and execution of Ernst Roehm and other of the Sturmabteilung 's top leaders” who could have been possible threats to the Nazi Party. Not only did both nations eliminate any possible opposition, but they also prevented it by having total control over all forms of media. The majority of the time, citizens of Germany and Russia only read, listened, and viewed what their governments wanted them to (Shoptaugh). Mass destruction of books and other printed material took place in both countries, and only films and
Cited: Barnhill, John. "National Socialist German Workers ' Party." World History: The Modern Era. ABC-CLIO, 2014. Web. 20 Oct. 2014. Martin, Terry. "The Origins of Soviet Ethnic Cleansing." Journal of Modern History 70.4 (1998): 820. JSTOR. Web. 20 Oct. 2014. Shoptaugh, Terry. "Censorship: World War II." World at War: Understanding Conflict and Society. ABC-CLIO, 2014. Web. 20 Oct. 2014. "Soviet Union." World History: The Modern Era. ABC-CLIO, 2014. Web. 20 Oct. 2014. "Third Reich." World History: The Modern Era. ABC-CLIO, 2014. Web. 20 Oct. 2014.