Dictatorships

Dictatorships

When looking at the reasons the United States did not have a dictatorship even while in the same economic hardships as Europe, one must look to the rises to power of dictators in Germany and Italy. In Germany one must observe the rise to power of Adolf Hitler, while in Italy the rise to power that needs to be observed is that of Benito Mussolini.

Contrary to popular belief, Hitler and Mussolini did not force their way into power. The governments of their respective countries introduced this power to them. In the case of Hitler, the German President Hindenburg was in need of support in his policies, and thought Hitler was his answer. Fresh out of prison, Hitler had become popular with the people. The people were needy and desperate and Hitler offered viable solutions. The German economy was tanking and President Hindenburg needed the support of the people. Thinking he could control Hitler, President Hindenburg made the mistake in January 1933 of giving Hitler the post of Chancellor. Almost as quickly as he was made chancellor, Hitler had become a dictator over Germany.

Similar to Germany’s, Italy’s economy and government were extremely week after the war. With the increasing unemployment rates, the Italian people were starting to desire a system of equality, communism. Similar to Hitler, Mussolini made promises to the people. Promising to rebuild Italy and recreate the Roman Empire, Mussolini became increasingly popular with the Italian people. In 1921 Mussolini joined the Parliament. Hoping to gain some of this popularity through Mussolini, Giovanni