Social+policies+Mao+and+Hitler

Where does single party leadership come from? -Single party state leadership often emerges from a crisis (ex: Hitler capitalizing on post-WWI anger). The crisis causes such despair that the people put large amounts of faith in extremists.

How does this tie into social policies? -Opposition is suppressed by force. -Most of life is brought under control & must conform (again, enforced with repressive techniques, propaganda). -Leaders wish to appear strong & confident (Hitler was helped by Goebbels & his propaganda machine).

Hitler’s policies, in-depth: -Hitler used his war record, economic struggles as a boy, and his role in the Munich Putsch to be relatable, and these contributed to his popularity (he was however put into office by a council that thought he would fail. -Race theory: Aryan supremacy, organized extermination/genocide of approx. 11 million people, Final Solution ( Die Endlösung) -Wanted to reorganize the state on military policy. -Purged civil service of Jews/Homosexuals/etc. Trade unions were abolished, media was closely controlled as well as educational systems. Food prices were put under government control (wealthy industrialists & businessmen were pleased). -Youth: League of German Maidens ( Bund Deutscher Mädel), Hitler Youth (Hitlerjugend)

Mao's policies, in-depth: -Great Leap Forward (1958 to 1961): to transform China from an agrarian economy to a modern communist society (using industry, collectives). Private farming became illegal, those who did were usually killed. Restrictions on rural people were enforced through social pressure, and violence. Food rationing. The GLF ended in disaster, widespread famine, approx. 20 million deaths occurred from the famine. -Cultural Revolution (1966-1976): violent mass movement (working to remove capitalist influences, to take away personal desires for profit/gains) that resulted in social, political, and economic choas! Social stagnation & confusion resulted from the introduced reforms.

Comparison: -Resistance was executed, literally, in both societies. -Liberties were encroached upon. -Both Mao & Hitler had a “cult of personality,” youth divisions, and a police force (the Red Army agents, and the Gestapo, respectively). -Broadly, millions died as a result of Mao's work, and Hitler set killing people into his agenda.