World history topic 10: Authoritarian states (20th century)

Conditions:
- Examine the importance of economic conditions in the rise to power of two authoritarian/single-party
leaders.
- To what extent were existing social and economic problems the most significant factor in the rise to
power of two authoritarian/single-party leaders?
- Examine the political conditions that led to the rise of two authoritarian/single-party leaders.
- Analyse the conditions that enabled one left-wing leader to become the ruler of a single-party state.

Methods:
- “Popular support, rather than the use of force, was vital to the establishment of single-party states.” With
reference to two states, each chosen from a different region, to what extent do you agree with this statement?
- “In the twentieth century, the rise to power of authoritarian and single-party leaders was due mainly to their
use of force.” To what extent do you agree with this statement?
- With reference to two examples each chosen from a different region, to what extent do you agree with the
claim that ideology was the most important factor in the rise to power of single-party leaders.?
- Assess the importance of each of the following in the rise to power of Stalin: errors made by rivals;
the use of propaganda; popular support.

Consolidation and maintenance of power:

- Assess the importance of the use of force and economic policies in the maintenance of power of
one authoritarian or single-party ruler.
- Assess the importance of the cult of personality in the maintenance of power of one of the following: Mao;
Castro; Perón.
- In what ways, and with what results, was propaganda used by one ruler of a single-party state?
- By what methods, and with what success, did one single-party leader try to eliminate domestic opposition?
- “A vigorous foreign policy played a vital part in the maintenance of power of single-party regimes.” With
reference to two examples, explain to what extent you agree with this statement.

Policies:
- To what extent did either Mao‟s or Stalin‟s domestic policies solve the problems they faced?
- Compare and contrast the economic and social policies of two of the following: Mao; Nasser; Castro.
- Evaluate the effects of the policies of two rulers of single-party states, each chosen from a different region,
on the role and status of women.
- Compare and contrast the treatment of minorities in two authoritarian or single-party states, each chosen
from a different region.
- In what ways, and with what success, did either Castro or Mao attempt to establish a totalitarian state after
coming to power?