Question: What effects did the history, politics, and economies of those areas play in their decisions to turn to totalitarianism; What role did the Great Depression in the United States play in their plight?

Expert answer

The effects of the history, politics, and economies of those areas played a large role in their decisions to turn to totalitarianism. For example, the Nazi party in Germany rose to power in part due to the country's need for a strong leader after years of political and economic instability. Similarly, the Soviet Union turned to totalitarianism in order to solidify its power after years of civil war and revolution. The rise of totalitarianism in these and other areas led to World War II, which was one of the deadliest conflicts in human history.

The Great Depression in the United States played a significant role in the rise of totalitarianism around the world. The Depression caused widespread economic and social instability, which made people more likely to support strong, authoritarian leaders who could solve their problems. Additionally, the United States did not offer much help to countries struggling under the weight of totalitarianism, further weakening their democracies.

During the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union engaged in a series of proxy wars in which they supported different sides in various conflicts around the world. This led to a further spread of totalitarianism, as countries aligned themselves with either the US or the USSR in an attempt to gain favor or protection from one of the superpowers.

The fall of communism in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe in the late 1980s and early 1990s led to a rise in democracy around the world. However, some countries that had been under communist rule, such as China, retained their authoritarian governments. Additionally, many countries that had formerly been part of the Soviet Union or its satellite states experienced significant economic and political turmoil after transitioning to democracy, which has led to a resurgence of authoritarianism in some cases.