Most Evil Dictators and What they Did

Joseph Stalin, born in 1878 in Georgia, rose to power within the Soviet Union through his involvement in the Bolshevik party and his ability to organize strikes and protests. After Vladimir Lenin's death in 1924, Stalin outmaneuvered rivals like Leon Trotsky to become the effective dictator. He implemented rapid industrialization and collectivization, which led to mass famine and the execution or imprisonment of millions. Stalin also fostered a cult of personality and engaged in widespread purges within the Communist Party and Red Army. Despite initial unpreparedness, Stalin's leadership during World War II was crucial for the Soviet Union's efforts against Nazi Germany. His rule ended with his death in 1953.

The Soviet gulags were forced labor camps that saw the imprisonment and death of millions during Stalin's regime. Similarly, the Congo Free State under King Leopold II of Belgium experienced horrific atrocities, with a death toll in the millions due to exploitation and brutal labor practices. The paragraph also touches on the technological advancements that enabled European powers to exert control over colonized regions, including the use of modern weaponry and steamboats.

The global demand for rubber led to a boom that King Leopold II of Belgium capitalized on by exploiting the resources and people of the Congo. The labor policy, known as the Red Rubber system, resulted in the enslavement of the natives, with brutal enforcement by the Force Publique. This included severe punishments for not meeting rubber quotas, such as beatings, mutilations, and executions. The exact death toll of Leopold's regime in the Congo is unknown but is estimated to be in the millions.

Mao Zedong's Great Leap Forward was an ambitious plan to rapidly industrialize China and increase agricultural production. It involved the establishment of large communes, where individual land holdings were abolished, and the forced labor of peasants in industrial production. Despite initial enthusiasm, the plan led to severe ecological imbalance, poor agricultural outcomes, and a massive famine that resulted in an estimated 18 to 45 million deaths. Despite the catastrophe, Mao continued to export grain and refused foreign aid, leading to further suffering.

After the disastrous Great Leap Forward, Mao Zedong's influence over economic policy was reduced, and some policies were reformed. Individual farming was permitted again, and industrial workers received greater incentives. However, Mao remained a powerful figure and launched the Cultural Revolution in 1966. His legacy includes the publication of the Little Red Book, a compilation of his quotations and political ideology that was widely distributed and had a significant impact on Chinese society.

Hitler's personal train, known as the Führer-Zug or Führer Special, was a mobile headquarters used during World War II. It was equipped with various carriages for different purposes, including a command car, dining car, and carriages for Hitler's staff and security. The train was heavily guarded, and its movements were kept secret to prevent assassination attempts. Despite several plans by the Allies to target the train, none were successful. The train's final journey was in January 1945, and parts of it can still be seen in museums today.

Stalin's daily routine involved late mornings, extensive work sessions, and late-night dinners with high-ranking officials. His workday was intense, with a focus on the war effort and maintaining control over the Soviet Union. Stalin's paranoia was evident in the strict control he exerted over his subordinates, including their sleep times. His dinners were notorious for heavy drinking and the potential danger for those attending, as a single misstep could have severe consequences. Stalin's regime was characterized by its brutality and the extensive control over every aspect of life in the Soviet Union.

Hitler's train, the Führer-Zug, was not only a military headquarters but also a diplomatic venue. It was on this train that Hitler discussed state collaboration with French Marshall Pétain and later with Italian Prime Minister Benito Mussolini regarding their campaign against the Soviet Union. The train's tunnels, built for protection against attacks, were used as meeting places for these high-stakes discussions. Despite the war's devastation and the Holocaust, Hitler's train remained a symbol of his power and control.

Throughout the war, there were multiple assassination attempts and plots against Hitler, including plans by the British to bomb his train, the Führer-Zug. One such plan involved poisoning the train's water supply with a lethal substance. However, these plans were deemed too risky or impractical and were never executed. Despite the numerous threats to his life, Hitler survived the war until his suicide in April 1945. The remnants of his train were eventually retired and can now be found in various museums.