Comparing the Evils of Hitler and Stalin: A Closer Look

Introduction

In the shadow of World War II, it's a common question to compare Adolf Hitler and Joseph Stalin, two of the most notorious figures in history. Each despotic leader brought about their own form of suffering, yet which was worse and why do they persist in our collective memory?

Hitler and Stalin: Their Despotic Aims

Adolf Hitler, the infamous Fuehrer of Nazi Germany, broke every treaty he made with the UK. His invasion of the Soviet Union during Operation Barbarossa was a betrayal of his earlier non-aggression pact. This act came at a critical time when the Soviet Union, under Stalin, was heavily reliant on supplies and aid from the United Kingdom through the Lend-Lease program. Churchill, the then Prime Minister of the UK, had a complex relationship with both leaders, yet managed to control the flow of resources to the Soviet Union, knowing that its survival was crucial.

Evil in Perspective: Who Is Worse?

The comparison between Hitler and Stalin can often seem superficial, as each leader had unique qualities that led to their respective horrors. The question of 'who is worse' is a subjective one, but it's worth exploring the motivations and approaches that made both leaders so terrifying.

One common analogy often used is to compare being 'raped by a neighbor or your father.' Both scenarios evoke a sense of betrayal and longstanding trauma. In the case of Hitler and Stalin, their impatience and willingness to break international agreements and treaties place them in similar moral indisputability.

Hitler's Impatience and Malice

Adolf Hitler was known for his impatience and erratic decision-making. His invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941, while fighting the British and French on the Western front, was a calculated move that led to a devastating defeat for the Nazis. Hitler was overly confident in his early successes and failed to predict the harsh winter that would eventually catch his advancing troops off guard. This impatience led to the surprise attack on the Soviet Union, a strategic misstep that changed the course of World War II.

Stalin's Calculative Nature

Joseph Stalin, on the other hand, was a man of calculated and cold-blooded actions. While Hitler acted impulsively, Stalin was known for his long-term and secretive plans. Stalin's rise to power in the Soviet Union was marked by the purges of his rivals, known as the Great Purges, which led to the execution or imprisonment of millions. His approach to power was methodical, and he never showed impatience, even in the face of international threats.

The Impact and Legacy of Their Evils

The scales that make one evil worse than the other do not exist in a vacuum. The strong influence of Marxists in universities has led to attempts to present communist violence as justifiable. However, the atrocities committed by both leaders cannot be minimized or excused. Both Hitler and Stalin left indelible marks on world history and continue to be subject to varying interpretations.

It is often said that both Hitler and Stalin were seen by their respective followers as embodying evil itself. For many, the sight of a leader's downfall, such as the premature and gruesome death of Hitler, underscores the futility of such ideologies. Stalin, despite his rational approach, was no less evil due to the massive human toll he took through his purges and the suffering of his people.

Conclusion

Both leaders were undeniably evil and brought about immense suffering on a scale that is difficult to comprehend. While Hitler's impatience and calculated chaos led to rapid but ultimately doomed attacks, Stalin's calculated and deliberate purges and violence created a dark legacy that has endured. Both were equally worse in their own ways, and their legacies will continue to be debated and studied as long as history is being written.