Comparing Totalitarian Regimes: Nazi Germany vs.

Soviet Union
Aspect Nazi Germany (Hitler) Soviet Union (Stalin) Similarities / Differences

Ideology Based on Nazism: extreme nationalism,

Basedracial
on Communism:
purity, anti-Semitism,
classlessanti-communism,
society,
Both rejected
state ownership,
liberal
beliefdemocracy;
in abolition
Aryan superiority.
Hitler
of private
focusp

Leadership and ControlHitler ruled as Führer with absolute Stalin

authority;
ruledcentralized
as dictator;allcreated
power under
a cult
Bothof
Nazi
personality;
leaders
Party;ruled
used
concentrated
through
the cultfear,
of personality.
power
propagand
in Co

Methods of Propaganda
Controlled press, radio, and films; used
State-controlled
mass ralliesmedia
and symbols
and education;
(swastika);
Bothpromoted
used
glorified
propaganda
Stalin
Hitleras
and
the
to demonized
manipulate
'Father of Nation
Jews.
public

Use of Terror / Secret Police

Gestapo and SS suppressed opposition,
NKVDused
arrested,
concentration
tortured, and
camps,
executed
and
Both
targeted
'enemies
used terror
Jews
of the
and
andpeople';
secret
minorities.
police
conducted
to instill
purf

Economic System and Mixed

Goals economy under state control;Command
aimed to prepare
economy forwith
warFive-Year
and achieve
Both
Plans;
autarky
used
focused
economic
(self-sufficiency).
on rapid
control
industrialization
to strengthenanth

Treatment of Opposition
Political opponents (communists, liberals,
PoliticalJews)
rivalswere
and critics
persecuted,
were purged,
imprisoned,
Bothimprisoned,
regimes
or executed.
crushed
or executed;
all political
no tolerance
opposition
fo

Impact on Society Promoted militarism, obedience, and

Promoted
racial hierarchy;
collectivism,
indoctrinated
loyalty to youth
Stalin,
Boththrough
and
controlled
communist
Hitler
culture
Youth.
values;
and education
educationtoand
shaa