Dictatorships
Throughout the 1930s, the United States was immersed in the throes of the Depression. As a result, the nation dealt with issues that plagued society in general, as well as adding economic and political strains on the country. Yet, even with the challenges faced by the United States during this dismal era, Americans’ problems were not as daunting as those encountered by people in other parts of the world.
Mother and her children during the Depression.
Many of the issues that European nations were now encountering were the direct result of their political leadership. As early as 1920, several dictatorships came to power in Europe. Germany, Italy, and the Soviet Union, for example, were controlled through totalitarian governments, or oppressive regimes that controlled every aspect of their citizens’ lives.
Map of Europe.
Adolph Hitler and Benito Mussolini were two dictators who employed such power. Hitler came to the power in Germany in 1933, while Mussolini rose to power in Italy during the 1920s.
 Adolph Hitler |
 Benito Mussolini |