Strong Axis Leaders in WWII

Adolf Hitler, and Joseph Stalin. While not excluding the countless leaders the second world war gave rise to, these two men were titans among the second war. While many would disagree with the ways these men lead their respective countries through the war, one can not argue the conclusion that each of these people in power functioned with a very strong hand, but used their power in different methods, leading to different results during the war.


 Adolf Hitler, metaphorically, was born from the hatred that Germany harbored over the treaty of Versailles. His charisma and brilliance on the podium, coupled with the bitterness and pain all Germans felt following the treaty, allowed him to be considered the savior Germany needed, and in many eyes, deserved, and get into power without much resistance. Hitler was allowed to continue his quest for domination for one solid reason, he followed through on his promise of saving Germany. His methods and preparations of war singlehandedly give rise to thousands of jobs, both helping the economy of Germany, and its citizens. His ideas were atrocious, but he truly believed in them and brought many to his side as well. He never faltered in his speed and ferocity as a leader, pushing his country and soldiers further and further into Europe, taking much of the continent, before specific mistakes lead to a defensive war, and eventually, his end. Summing up Hitler's tactics as a leader, he was strong, manipulative, and charismatic, allowing him to take what he wanted when he wanted.


Joseph Stalin, while also a member of the Axis powers for a time, was a much more reserved leader in world affairs. While Hitler hit the ground running once the war hit, Stalin chose to become relatively isolated. Of course, he made a deal with Hitler signifying him as an axis member, he was more focused on his own country, and the politics surrounding it. Focusing on his own country, Stalin ruled with an iron fist, in a much different way than Hitler. Instead of using his people's pain and suffering as fuel for rage, Stalin chose to just dominate. He controlled his country, and all those inside it, those who did not comply were eradicated without remorse, as a leader like Stalin would do. I believe that a man like Stalin never truly cared about his people. Differentiating Hitler and Stalin, I do believe that Hitler felt a sense of pride in his work, that in his eyes, he was saving Germany, and was a righteous leader to his people, of course, that would be specific to HIS perspective, not the perspective of the world. Stalin, I do not think carefully about his people. He wanted power, and to control, which was what he did. I believe this to be true because of his methods of foreign affairs, choosing to be relatively isolationist until operation Barbarossa, then siding with the allies.