History WWI and WWII
Uploaded by adykes on Jul 13, 2015
Akasha Dykes
World History II
Professor Jeffrey
Second Essay
During the Inter-War Period, 1919-1939 (the time between WWI and WWII), many countries were left unbalanced and vulnerable to revolution. Certain ideologies in politics, and the way governments should be run, came into popular awareness. Revolutionary leaders such as Joseph Stalin, Benito Mussolini, and Adolph Hitler, took advantage of that vulnerability to establish political power. These leaders publicly denounced the fundamental qualities of the Western civilizations; such as democracy, capitalism, and individual/equal rights.
Joseph Stalin (1878-1953) was the dictator of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) from 1929 to 1953. Beneath Stalin, the Soviet Union was transformed from a peasant society into an industrial and military superpower. However, he ruled with terror, and millions of his own citizens died during his brutal reign (History.com). During his time he wrote, The Result of the First Five-Year Plan, which clearly rejected all Western concepts and values on capitalism. The document states, “And as a result of all of this [his government control and socialist revolution] the capitalist elements have been completely and irrevocably ousted from industry, and socialist industry has become the sole form of industry in the USSR…” Stalin believed wholeheartedly that the rejection and elimination of all capitalist elements were the reason for the country’s success under his reign. The socialistic views and concepts that Stalin enacted did help the country become successful. However, he eventually began to grow into a power hungry dictator that was brutal and killed many of his own people.
Before Stalin, Aristocrats, who continually took from the people in their country to fulfill their personal desires, ruled Russia. This made the poor very poor and the rich very rich and overall, Russia was a peasant society. Stalin grew up in this society, which was a catalyst for his future ideals and rise in political power. The Capitalism in the US in the ‘20’s showed similar aspects in the society that Stalin grew up in. The rich were becoming very rich, and the poor were getting poorer. When the Stock market crashed in the US and created worldwide depression, it was used as proof that capitalism was flawed and could ultimately destroy a country economically. Stalin believed that through Socialism the country would thrive, and implemented ideas that the government should take care of it’s people as well as people helping take care of people. The ideology of it all...