authoritarian leaders

Question 1

Emergence of Authoritarian States: Economic Conditions

Answer 1

Hitler (Germany, 1933-1945)
Great Depression (1929) → Mass unemployment (6M Germans jobless by 1932). Hyperinflation crisis (1923).

Castro (Cuba, 1959-2008)
Economic inequality → US control over sugar industry. Corrupt Batista regime favored elites.

Question 2

Weak Political System

Answer 2

Weimar Republic instability → Proportional representation led to weak coalition governments. Article 48 → Gave president emergency powers, misused by Hitler.

Batista’s dictatorship (1952-1959) → Corrupt, lacked legitimacy. No strong democratic traditions in Cuba.

Question 3

Use of Propaganda

Answer 3

Joseph Goebbels’ Ministry of Propaganda → Radio, posters, mass rallies. Blamed Jews & Communists for economic failures.

Revolutionary speeches & radio (Radio Rebelde). Used anti-US & anti-imperialist messaging to gain popular support.

Question 4

Use of Force (Emergence of Authoritarian States)

Answer 4

SA & SS suppressed opposition (street violence, assassinations). Reichstag Fire (1933) → Used as pretext to eliminate Communists.

Guerrilla warfare (Sierra Maestra campaign). Batista used violence, leading to backlash & increased support for Castro.

Question 5

Ideology

Answer 5

Nazism → Anti-communism, nationalism, Lebensraum (expansionism), racial purity.

Communism/Socialism → Land redistribution, economic self-sufficiency, anti-capitalism.

Question 6

Impact of War

Answer 6

WWI defeat & Treaty of Versailles → German resentment, demand for revenge.

Cold War context → US-backed Batista vs. Soviet-aligned Castro.

Question 7

Use of Force Consolidation of Power

Answer 7

Night of the Long Knives (1934) → Purged SA leaders. Gestapo & SS eliminated opposition.

Execution & imprisonment of Batista supporters. 1961 Bay of Pigs Invasion justified crackdowns on dissent.

Question 8

Control of Opposition

Answer 8

Banned political parties (1933). Nuremberg Laws (1935) → Excluded Jews. Concentration camps for enemies of the state.

No free press (Granma newspaper controlled by state). Political prisoners & censorship → Opposition suppressed.

Question 9

Propaganda Consolidation of Power

Answer 9

Goebbels’ control over media → Films, Hitler Youth, radio broadcasts. Cult of Personality → Hitler portrayed as Germany’s savior.

State-controlled media → Granma newspaper, speeches, TV. Education reforms emphasized Castro’s achievements.

Question 10

Economic Policies

Answer 10

Autarky (self-sufficiency) & war economy. Public works projects (Autobahns). Military-industrial growth.

Nationalized industries (sugar, oil, banks). Soviet aid sustained economy until 1991.

Question 11

Foreign Policy

Answer 11

Aggressive expansionism (Rhineland, Austria, Czechoslovakia). Non-aggression pact (1939) → Later broke with invasion of USSR.

Aligned with USSR (missiles during Cuban Missile Crisis). Supported Latin American revolutions (Che Guevara in Bolivia).

Question 12

Policies: Economic

Answer 12

Public works → Autobahn, military industries. Rearmament → Boosted jobs but led to war.

Nationalization → Government control over economy. Land reforms → Redistributed land to peasants.

Question 13

Policies: Social

Answer 13

Hitler Youth, League of German Maidens → Indoctrination. Aryan supremacy ideology → Jews, disabled, and minorities persecuted.

Healthcare & literacy programs → Cuba achieved 96% literacy. Housing & food rationing to ensure equality.

Question 14

Women

Answer 14

Kinder, Küche, Kirche (Children, Kitchen, Church) → Traditional roles. Financial incentives for large Aryan families.

Women encouraged to work & study. Equal pay & childcare support under socialist policies.

Question 15

Treatment of Opposition

Answer 15

Concentration camps for Jews, Communists, opposition.

Prison camps (UMAPs) for dissenters (political & LGBTQ).

Question 16

Foreign Relations

Answer 16

Expansionism & war led to global conflict.

Anti-US stance, Soviet support until 1991.