Dictatorship - GCSE History Definition

What is a Dictatorship?

In GCSE History, a dictatorship is when a country is governed by a dictator. A dictator is a leader who has complete power and control over a country. 

In history, there have been many different types of dictatorships, from different ends of the political spectrum. For example: 

• Nazi Germany and Adolf Hitler

• Soviet Russia and Joseph Stalin 

• Fascist Italy and Bennetino Mussolini 

• North Korea and Kim Jong-un

• China and Mao Zedong 

A dictatorship can be created and enforced by removing political opposition, creating a police state and full control of legal systems. Dictatorships also tend to control every part of people’s lives. This includes:

• Education 

• Politics

• Culture and entertainment 

• Employment 

• Religion