Short Answer 
During the lead-up to World War II, Joseph Stalin in the Soviet Union and Benito Mussolini in Italy emerged as significant dictators with differing ideologies; Stalin led communism while Mussolini advocated fascism. Stalinism was characterized by a bureaucratic governance structure, whereas Nazism was centered around Adolf Hitler’s personal leadership and ideals.
Step 1: Understanding the Dictators
During the period leading up to World War II, two significant dictators emerged: Joseph Stalin in the Soviet Union and Benito Mussolini in Italy. Both played crucial roles in shaping their countries’ political landscapes. However, they represented different ideologies, with Stalin leading communism and Mussolini advocating fascism.
Step 2: Ideology and Leadership
The ideologies of these dictators were distinct; Stalinism had its own set of principles that existed outside of Stalin himself. In contrast, Nazism was heavily based on Adolf Hitler’s beliefs, making him the embodiment of Nazi ideals. This meant that while Stalinist ideology could potentially evolve, Nazi ideology was fundamentally tied to Hitler’s personal visions.
Step 3: Structure of Governance
The structures of governance also differed significantly between these regimes. Under Stalinism, the bureaucratic apparatus served as the backbone of the system, emphasizing organized control. In contrast, Nazism placed the leader, Hitler, at the center of authority, creating a highly personalized form of governance that revolved around him and his directives.