THEY WERE - EUROPE

1994-1995, 2001-2006, 2008-2011

He was often labeled as an authoritarian due to his divisive and controversial leadership style. He held a tight grip on the media, owning the majority of newspapers and TV channels in the country, allowing him to control the narrative and spread propaganda. Berlusconi also faced numerous corruption charges. Additionally, he was known for his use of aggressive and confrontational tactics in parliament, silencing opposition and consolidating his power. His close ties with the business elite and his concentration of wealth and influence in his inner circle only added to his authoritarian image. Despite being democratically elected, Berlusconi's actions and behaviors often mirrored those of an autocrat, leading many to view him as a threat to democracy in Italy.

1989-1997 (Serbia), 1997-2000 (Yugoslavia)

He was considered to be a dictator due to his authoritarian rule and numerous human rights violations. Milosevic's actions were fueled by his extreme nationalism and desire to create a Greater Serbia. He used propaganda and manipulation to incite ethnic tensions and gain support from the Serbian population. He heavily controlled the media and suppressed any opposition, leading to a lack of freedom of speech and expression. He also used the military and police forces to suppress dissent and maintain his grip on power. His regime was marked by corruption, economic mismanagement, and the ethnic cleansing of Bosnian Muslims and other minority groups. His actions led to the breakup of Yugoslavia and sparked several wars in the Balkans, resulting in the deaths of thousands of people. Despite his eventual downfall and trial for war crimes, Milosevic's legacy continues to serve as a reminder of the dangers of extreme nationalism.

1974-1989

He ruled Romania with an iron fist over two decades. 

He was responsible for widespread human rights abuses, including the suppression of free speech, forced labor, the mass genocide of ethnic minorities (an estimated 60,000 victims), and the displacement of millions more.

His oppressive policies led to a severe economic downturn

and the impoverishment of millions of citizens. He tried to flee the country using over $1 billion deposited in foreign banks. Him and his wife were executed in 1989 after trial.

(1941) 1944-1985

Secretary from 1941, and prime minister of Albania from 1944 to 1985, he was viewed as a dictator due to his ruthless and oppressive reign, which was characterized by a cult of personality, with his image and ideologies being forced upon the population through propaganda and censorship. He established strict control over all aspects of society, including politics, media, and economy, following a strict communist ideology (Stalinism), using a brutal secret police force and implementing policies that suppressed any form of dissent or opposition (more than 30,000 were imprisoned in 1985 only). His isolationist foreign policy and rejection of any outside influence created a highly militarized and self-sufficient economy. Hoxha's authoritarian rule led to severe human rights abuses, including mass executions and labor camps for political opponents. The number of victims during his reign is estimated between 5,000 and 25,000, earning him a reputation as one of the most oppressive leaders in Eastern Europe during the Cold War era.

1964-1982

Viewed as an authoritarian, his leadership was characterized by a strong emphasis on centralized government control and the suppression of dissident voices and movements. His rule was marked by increased state control over the economy and the media, the continuation of the Cold War, and the development of a personality cult around himself. He also launched the "Brezhnev Doctrine", which stated that any country within the Soviet Union's sphere of influence could not move towards a multiparty system or liberalization of the  economy. This doctrine was used to suppress any attempts at democratic reform within the Soviet Union. In addition, his government also launched the invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, which caused international condemnation. 

1944-1980

Also known as Marshal Tito, hewas the leader of Yugoslavia from 1945 until his death in 1980. He rose to power after World War II and implemented a unique form of communism known as "Titoism". His regime was characterized by strict control over all aspects of society, including the media, economy, and political parties. He also established a secret police force to suppress any dissent. Tito's cult of personality was also a major factor in his dictatorship, with his image plastered all over the country and his name included in the national anthem. He also maintained a tight grip on power by purging any potential rivals and promoting individuals who were loyal to him. Tito's rule was marked by suppression of civil liberties and human rights, with widespread reports of political imprisonment, torture, and disappearances. While his leadership brought stability and economic growth to Yugoslavia, his authoritarian tactics and disregard for democracy ultimately cemented his status as a dictator.

1939-1975

His dictatorship used oppressive tactics and cruel policies.

He seized control of Spain during the Spanish Civil War when, with help from Germany and Italy, his Nationalist forces overthrew the democratically elected government. He imposed strict censorship on the Spanish people while also establishing a brutal totalitarian regime. He suppressed civil liberties, outlawed political opposition and repressed the culture and language of Basque and Catalan regions.

He was highly successful in quashing any internal dissent

and imposing his will on the country. 

1932-1968

He was considered a dictator because of his authoritarian rule which saw him restrict civil liberties and impose a strict Catholic-conservative ideology in Portugal. He dissolved the parliament, limited freedom of speech, and cracked down on the opposition. He abolished trade unions, censored the press, and introduced a secret police force which was used to detain political opponents. As a result, thousands of people died. These included both those who were actively persecuted and those who perished from poverty and malnutrition due to the economic policies of the regime. As a result of Portugal's colonial wars in Africa during his reign, many people lost their lives. Estimates vary, but it is believed that at least 100,000 people died as a direct result of Salazar's policies.

1922-1953

He had absolute power and control over the Soviet Union. He held the title of General Secretary of the Communist Party, which enabled him to make decisions without any opposition. He put into place a totalitarian system of government and used fear and terror tactics to suppress any opposition. He also implemented a series of five-year plans that forced rapid industrialization and collectivization of agriculture in the Soviet Union. His rule was marked by a terrible purges that caused millions of deaths. Stalin’s authoritarian rule was a major factor in the ideological division of Europe that lasted until the end of the Cold War.

1934-1945

He was the leader of Nazi Germany during World War II and he is considered to be one of the most evil dictators in history. His actions resulted in the death of millions of innocent people and the devastation of Europe. Hitler's main goals were to create a "master race" of Aryans, to strengthen Germany's economic and military power, and to expand the country's borders to create an empire. To achieve these goals, he implemented a series of laws and policies that discriminated against Jews, communists, homosexuals, and other minority groups. He then launched a series of invasions of neighboring countries that ultimately led to the start of World War II (Invasion of Poland, 1939). Due to his actions, it is estimated that more than 12 million people were killed during the war, with more than 6 million Jews alone being systematically murdered in the Holocaust. His actions were devastating for the world. Considering the state of extremism and right-wing ideology nowadays, it could happen again.

1922-1943 (1945 as Duce)

He was the fascist leader of Italy from 1922 to 1943. He was a controversial figure due to his aggressive foreign policy and domestic rule. His dream was to create a new Roman Empire, and as such he saw himself as a modern-day Julius Caesar. Under his rule, Italy was characterized by extreme repression of freedom of speech and association, and a cult of personality that glorified him as a semi-divine figure. He also lead Italy into a series of disastrous wars, including the invasion of Ethiopia in 1935, the Spanish Civil War in 1936, and Italy's agreement to form an alliance with Nazi Germany in 1940. These policies resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of people, both directly and indirectly. He was also responsible for the persecution and internment of Jews and other minorities in Italy. In total, his policies are estimated to have caused the death of over 100,000 people. He was executed in 1945 by Italian partisans. 

1917-1922

He was a Russian revolutionary and communist politician who led the October Revolution of 1917 and became the first leader of the Soviet Union. He is widely regarded as a dictator due to his totalitarian rule of Russia and his Bolshevik party. Lenin is known for his radical political philosophy, which aimed to create a socialist society and his attempts to transform Russia into a socialist state. He implemented harsh economic policies which led to a severe famine and high unemployment. He also restricted political and religious freedoms in the country and imposed censorship on the press. Lenin’s regime is responsible for the deaths and imprisonment of thousands of people. 

Was sent to Africa in 1904

Military commander, he was sent to German South-West Africa (now Namibia) in 1904 to suppress a rebellion by the Herero and Nama people. Instead of following orders to restore peace, Trotha implemented a brutal scorched-earth policy, ordering his troops to shoot any Herero or Nama on sight and driving them into the desert where they would die of thirst and starvation. He also authorized the use of concentration camps, where thousands of men, women, and children were forced into labor and subjected to horrific conditions. As a result of Trotha's actions, an estimated 65,000-100,000 Herero and 10,000 Nama people were killed, leading to one of the first genocides of the 20th century. Trotha's ruthless tactics and disregard for human life ultimately led to the near-annihilation of two indigenous populations and a dark stain on Germany's colonial history.

1865-1909

He was responsible for one of the darkest chapters in colonial history. He took control of the Congo in 1885, claiming it as his own personal property and founding the Congo Free State. In the pursuit of wealth and power, Leopold II is said to have caused the deaths of an estimated 10 million Congolese people through a combination of horrific atrocities, including slavery, forced labor, executions, and mass starvation. He used extreme methods to secure resources from the Congo region, confiscating land and resources from the locals, imposing extremely high taxes, and punishing anyone who disobeyed orders or refused to work. He was also known for sending out armed expeditions to punish villages and force the local people into slavery. Many of the Congolese people were sent out to work on plantations and in mines owned by him, where they were subject to harsh conditions.