These IB History Authoritarian States notes offer an in-depth comparison of two key case studies: Hitler’s Nazi Germany and Castro’s Revolutionary Cuba. Designed specifically for the IB Diploma Programme (DP) Paper 2, this 52-page document provides structured, evidence-based content aligned with assessment criteria.
Ideal for students preparing for comparative essay questions and those looking to understand the ideological, social, and political complexities that enabled these leaders to rise and consolidate power.
Topics Covered in the Notes:
Case Study 1: Hitler’s Germany
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Rise to Power (Weimar instability, Treaty of Versailles, Nazi propaganda)
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Ideology and Policies (Totalitarian control, anti-Semitism, nationalism)
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Consolidation of Power (Enabling Act, Night of the Long Knives, Gestapo)
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Use of Propaganda and Censorship
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Opposition and Resistance
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Impact on Women, Youth, and Minorities
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Economic Policy and Military Expansion
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Foreign Policy and Road to WWII
Case Study 2: Castro’s Cuba
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Background and Batista’s regime
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Revolutionary Movement and 26th of July Movement
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Role of Che Guevara
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Consolidation of Power (exile of opponents, control of media, legal reforms)
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Domestic Reforms (land redistribution, education, health care)
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One-Party Rule and Use of Propaganda
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Foreign Policy (US relations, alliance with USSR, Bay of Pigs, Missile Crisis)
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Impact on Social Groups: Women, Afro-Cubans, Peasantry
Special Features:
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Designed for IB History HL/SL students
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Balanced coverage of causes, methods, and impact
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Includes key terms, historiography, and thematic comparisons
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Structured to support essay planning and critical thinking
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Focused on Paper 2 examination criteria
Perfect For:
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IB History HL & SL students
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Teachers preparing comparative analysis materials
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Learners researching authoritarian regimes
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Students writing internal assessments (IAs) on 20th-century dictatorships
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