Donald Tironi

Concepts of Leadership

HW-7

Amb. Kamal

11/21/99

• Introduction
• This draft will look at the topic of the term paper, a comparison of Hitler and Stalin. It will justify the choice of this topic, as well as explain the manner in which the topic will be dealt with. Finally an annexure is attached with a detailed outline of the paper.
• The Topic
• The topic chosen is a comparison of the leadership of Hitler and Stalin. Stalin was the leader of a Communist Russia, and Hitler was the leader and creator of Nazi Germany. This paper will not spend a lot of time on their respective biographies though. Rather this paper will look at who was a more effective leader. The paper will look at the leadership styles of each, as well as the situation each was leading in. Stalin was a leader of Communist Russia. The Communist system, at the time of Stalin, was established and unchallenged. Stalin’s job was to preserve the status quo. He did not need to institute change. Hitler was a different story. Hitler started life as a German house painter. He was part of the Germany that lost World War I, and was punished by the allies. Hitler, along with many other Germans, was upset with the treatment and situation of Germany after World War I. He wanted change, so Hitler went out and instituted change. Hitler went and spread his message throughout Germany, causing the creation of the Nazi party. Hitler then boosted this party into power in Germany. Their only head to head meeting was during World War II. Stalin was leading the Red Army, when Hitler and his Nazi Army invaded Russia. This case study will be looked at, because it shows a difference in leadership styles. Stalin sat back and let Hitler come. Hitler attacked in the aggressive style he had always exhibited. This style will look at these two styles and make a judgement of which one was better. Another factor that will be looked at will be the downfall. Stalin lost his power because of death, while Hitler lost his power because of other means. Why was Stalin durable and Hitler wasn’t. Why was Stalin able to last for over 30 years and Hitler was unable to come even close to that? These are all questions that will be addressed in this paper. Then the answers to all these questions will be combined to answer the research question of who was a more effective leader, and why?
• The topic of the paper is very complex and can become very confusing. That is why it is important to have a well-defined and precise plan. The paper will be split into for basic parts. The first part will deal with a general overview of the topic. The end of the introduction will clearly state the research question. That question is who was a more effective leader and why. The second part will be a short biography of each man. The third part will be the case study of each man. The paper will look at examples and styles in order to attempt to answer the research question. The fourth and final part of the paper will draw the conclusion. It will make the statement of who is the more effective leader, and then it will reinforce that decision with facts from part three. For a more detailed view of the paper, please see the attached annexure.
• Justification of Topic
• The topic of this paper is very interesting and there are many reasons to choose such a topic. One reason to choose this topic is to follow the directions of the assignment. The class was told to pick a topic that was innovative and interesting. This topic is both. It is very innovative because not many have looked at this topic. Not many people look towards Hitler as an example of leadership. Also, some view Stalin not as a Hitler, but rather as a way of preserving a status quo. Also, there is a tendency for Americans to choose other American leaders when looking at leadership. This does not do that, but rather the paper focuses on two Euro-Asian leaders during the twentieth century. Secondly, this topic is very interesting. One has to be very careful of the wording in this paper. Neither Hitler nor Stalin is viewed as a good leader, but rather an effective leader. With that said, this topic can be considered controversial. Controversy always sparks interest. Who was a better leader, Hitler or Stalin? Another reason I find this interesting is the ability to answer the question. At the beginning of this paper, I am not sure what the ending will be. I do not know whether I will choose Hitler or Stalin. However I feel that I can make a case for both of them. It will be very interesting to see how this paper will finally turn out.
• Conclusion
• The topic of the research paper is a comparison between Hitler and Stalin. This topic is very interesting for many reasons. One of which is that there is no concrete answer to the research question. Either man can be chosen, and a favorable case can be made for them. There is an uncertainty as to the outcome of the paper. Also the paper is very innovative. It is not a contemporary and usual topic. Hitler and Stalin are not usually used as examples of leadership. However this paper is intending to use them in that light. Finally the paper will have to be dealt with in a logical and precise manner. There must be a clear format to make it easier for the reader to understand the paper. This paper will be in a four-part format. Those four parts are an introduction, a biography of each man, a case study of each man, then the conclusions. The most important parts of the paper are parts three and four. Therefore the most time and energy will be spent on them. This paper will attempt to answer a difficult question, and it would be interesting to hear your thoughts on the subject.

Outline of the Research Paper

• Introduction
• Overview of the Topic
• Who was Hitler?
• Who was Stalin?
• Format of the paper
• Why this topic is Important
• Reasons to choose and read this paper
• Statement of the Research Question
• Who is the more effective leader and why?
• Biographies
• Hitler
• Presence before he attained power
• His rise to Power
• Why?
• How?
• Accomplishments
• Fall from Power
• Stalin
• Presence before he attained power
• His rise to Power
• Why?
• How?
• Accomplishments
• Fall from Power
• Case Studies
• Hitler
• Led a movement for change
• An Orator
• An Offensive Leader
• Time Period and his Country’s Situation
• InterWar Period
• Problems After WW I
• Qualities of Leadership
• Stalin
• Wants to retain the Communist Status Quo
• Leader in an Established and Unchallenged System
• An Defensive Leader
• Time Period and his Country’s Situation
• InterWar Period
• Situation After WW I
• Qualities of Leadership
• Conclusion
• Brief Summary of the Facts
• A short restatement of the facts used to set up the next part
• Answer the Research Question
• Who is the choice, Hitler or Stalin
• Reinforce the Decision
• Why did I choose who I chose

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