How to Rule Like a Dictator

HOW TO RULE LIKE A

DICTATOR

austin linthicum

So, you want to be a dictator. Ruling people with an iron fist and controlling your country the way you want is right up your alley. You’re comfortable with a gun and have no conscience, but that’s okay.

The editors picked out the top four most famous and deadly dictators of the last century to see exactly what made them so horribly great. Of course they didn’t get there without failures, so we included a what not to do section as well. Finally, take a quiz to see which of them is most similar to you.

Get ready to be a dictator. Follow these steps to learn how.

clockwise from left:

Pol Pot, Fidel Castro, Francisco Franco, & Ho Chi Mihn.

RULE LIKE A

DICTATOR FROM THE COMMUNIST PARTY

i want you to know that everything i did, i did for my country.

RULE LIKE

POL POT may 19, 1925 april 15, 1998

– pol pot is thought of as one of the deadliest and most famous dictators in history. Being the communist leader of Cambodia, he envisioned a country that was equal in every way (a radical form of agrarian socialism). He decided to have citizens swap roles (sending city people to the farms and farm to the city. The results were far from perfect, so he began punishing his people by depriving them of their rights. He also famously executed over 2.5 million people. The death toll from his reign came to an astounding total of 25% of the country.

pol pot

An estimated 1.5 million people living in Cambodia were killed during the brutal regime of Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge.

Their bodies were buried in mass graves that became known as “killing fields.”

1967 Pol Pot’s group of Cambodian communists (Khmer Rouge) start an insurgency against Princk Sihanouk in Cambodia.

1970 - 75 Coup against Sihaniuk established General Lon Nol as president of the Khymer Republic.

1975 Khymer Rouge forces led

by Pol Pot defeat Lon Nol’s army. Labor is forces and the country is cut off from the outside world.

1979 Vientamese soilders invade and overthrow Pol Pot’s regime. This ends the People’s Republic of Kampuchea and rebel Heng Samrin is swarn in as president.

1989

HOW DO YOU RULE LIKE PUL? It’s not easy becoming one of the most deadliest dictators in all of history. Start by joining a communist political party (he joined the KPRB). You will need to make lots of money to gain a following, so try teaching. Pol Pot taught history, geography, and French at a private school while simultaneously plotting a future revolution.

Once you are ready, it is important to start small. Pol started with the countryside and a group called the Viet Cong. Once he gained a foothold in the sparsely populated northeast, the Khmer Rouge seized control.

Over time, Khmer Rouge’s army increased until they controlled almost three-quarters of Cambodia’s territory. You then must start cracking down on your control. Pol took away everyone’s rights to get them to follow his lead. Before you know it, you will be a prime minister, just like Pol Pot.

Vietnamese troops withdraw from Cambodia. Pol Pot and his allies attempt to retake power from the State of Cambodia.

1991 Paris Agreement on Cambodia signed on October 23, 1991. Pol Pot’s Khmer Rouge forces sign, but do not abide by terms to ceasefire.

1995 Mass execution ovurs and graces are found slowly revealing the aftermath.

“a revolution is a struggle to the death between the future and the past.” –fiedl castro

RULE LIKE

FIDEL CASTRO august 13, 1926 february 19, 2008

was a cuban leader who established the first communist state in the Western Hemisphere after overthrowing the military dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista. He took power and ruled Cuba for almost fifty years until he left his power to brother Raul. Castro was known for making a more educated country, improving health care, and putting an end to racism. However, he was widely criticized for limiting political and economic freedoms amoung the people. He is generally looked upon in most third-world countries as a hero and some consider him to be one of the first “sucessful” dictators.

fidel castro

After taking power, Castro abolished legal discrimination, brought electricity to the countryside, provided for full employment and advanced the causes of education and health care, in part by building new schools and medical facilities.

1959 Cuba becomes the first Communist state in the western hemisphere after Fidel Castro his rebels to victory in Havana. He overthrows dictator Fulgencio Batista.

1960 Castro’s rebels begin to break down the old capitalist system.

1961 Cuba is invaded by trained rebels who land in the Bay of Pigs. The invaders are quickly put down which worsens relations with the U.S. 1962

HOW DO YOU RULE LIKE FIDEL? Castro started out as just a lawyer. He slowly rose up and ran for election to the Cuban House of Representatives. The election never happened because Batista seized power before the vote.

His law background may have helped him get the start he needed.

He then realized the struggle ahead.

From there you may want to start your revolution with a small army (just not as small as his). Castro started with only 120 men, but lost and was sent to jail. His attack on the Moncada army barracks was also not very well planned out. Some of his earlier years are mainly examples of what not to do.

Once released, Castro was smart and net worked with a fellow revolutionary Ernesto “Che” Guevara who helped plot his return. It is always smart to have lots of people on your side before advancing in a revolution to ensure success.

Castro then proved that he was a true dictator when his troops were ambushed, but survived. They fled to the mountains with only two rifles and soon began to fight. A week later, he took the position as prime minister (dictator) of Cuba. Remember, you can be a dictator without calling yourself one.

If you want to become famous fast, Castro’s way is one of the best.

He signed off on nuclear missiles off the coast of Florida causing the US to fear WWIII. He also abolished private businesses and presided over housing which is a sure-fire way to gain control over your people. Finally, Castro jailed thousands of political opponents furthering his communist rule.

The world is almost brought to nuclear war after Castro agrees to allow the USSR to position nuclear missals on an island 90 miles from the U.S. Moscow agrees to dismantle the weapons as long as the U.S. takes down their deployed in Turkey.

1979 Cuba supports the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan and Cuba sends military assistance to influence civil wars in Angola and Ethiopia.

1988 Anglo-Cuban relations almost reach breaking point after a Cuban diplomat fires a gun in a crowded London street.

2006-08 On February 19, 2008, Fidel Castro finally announces he will step down as president (dictator).

“i am responsible only to God and history.” | “there will be no communism.’ –francisco franco

RULE LIKE

FRANCISCO

FRANCO december 4, 1892 november 20, 1975.

was a Spanish general and dictator who ruled until his death in 1939. He gained power during the bloody Spanish Civil War when the Nationalist forces overthrew the Second Republic. He was then called “El Caudillo” (The Leader) and began implementing his new policies. Franco persecuted political opponents, repressed the culture of Spain, and censored media. Overall, he exerted absolute control over the country. As Franco and the country grew older, the policies grew weaker and upon his death, Spain transformed into a democracy.

francisco franco

Francisco Franco led a successful military rebellion to overthrow the Spanish democratic republic in the Spanish Civil War (1936—1939), subsequently establishing his lasting dictatorship.

HOW DO YOU RULE LIKE FRANCISCO? Being a future dictator, it can significantly help if you have a military background. Francisco Franco stated out at a naval secondary school. He then enrolled in the Infantry Academy in Toldeo. Over time, he even became the youngest general in all of Europe and then the military chief of staff.

It also helped drive Franco to have strong feelings towards change. Franco became fully invested in his cause following the assassination by police of radical monarchist Jose Calvo Stelo. That was the start of a multi-pronged uprising that put him in control of the western half of the country.

To get Franco’s methods to be followed, he executed and imprisoned thousands. This proved to be very effective during his time period. In addition, be banned many religions banned languages, barred labor unions, supported a self-sufficient economy, and created a gigantic secret police force to spy on citizens. This form of totalitarianism was key to Franco’s success.

If you are beginning your career as a dictator later in your life, you may want to plan ahead for your predecessor. Franco chose Juan Carlos years in advance and had trained him to continue his regime. Sadly for Francisco Franco, Juan pushed for change and held elections soon after he took power.

“I’ve never heard of any president being so close to his people.” –ho chi minh

RULE LIKE

HO CHI MINH may 19, 1890 september 2, 1969

became a figure in the public eye as an outspoken voice for Vietnamese independence while living in France during WWI. Being inspired by the Bolshevik Revolution, he joined the Communists Party and left for the Soviet Union. From there, he helped found the Indochinese Communist Party in 1930 and the Viet Minh in 1941. Once WWII came to a close, Ho took the role of president for North Vietnam. “Uncle Ho” continued as president for the next 25 years and became a symbol for Vietnam’s unification struggle.

ho chi minh

After taking power, Castro abolished legal discrimination, brought electricity to the countryside, provided for full employment and advanced the causes of education and health care, in part by building new schools and medical facilities.

1907-11 Ho and his brother travel to the city of Hue ot attend the prestigious Franco-Vietnamese academy.

He left early and travled to Saigon, then continued traveling visiting cities around the world.

1917 Ho moved to Paris during the height of WWI. He changed his name to Nguyen Ai Quoc and became involved in leftist and anitcolonial activism.

1919 Ho Chi Mhin worked to foud the Association for Annamite Patriots (Vietnamese nationalists in France) who opposed French colonization of Vietnam.

1920 Ho became a founding member of the French Communist Party. Later he founded the newspaper Le Paria which served as a place for anticolonial activists to express their oppinions.

HOW DO YOU RULE LIKE HO? Finding a cause to support is a critical part to any dictator’s rise to power. When Germany defeated France in 1940, ho saw it as an opportunity for the Vietnamese nationalists cause. At the same time, Ho formally changed his name to Ho Chi Minh (“Bringer of the Light”). This is very important if you want to be remembered in future generations. Forming a group is also very important and gaining supporters. Ho founded the group Viet Minh (League for the Independence for Vietnam).

Ho Chi Minh was also very important to the Vietnam War. Ho ceded his position to Le Duan and remained nominally as North Vietnam’s head of state. He remained an important to the Vietnamese as he served as a symbol of unification. He serves as an example of a dictator who was liked by his people, which made his rule successful.

1930 Ho founded the Vietnamese Communist Party in Hong King. He was then arrested.

1945 At the end of WWII, Ho organzied the Viet Minh to start a large-scale uprising in Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh also became president.

1946 Ho signed an agreement with French that Vietnam would be recognized as an independent state.

“you may not use hitler, stalin, or mao; they are too mainstream.

HOW

NOT TO RULE LIKE A DICTATOR

get indie with your dictators.”

–tam hoang went off without a hitch. All of the past four dictators we looked at had their fair share of problems and failuers. From getting captured and killed to upsetting important countries, it is very important that a future dictator like yourself pays close attention to avoid making the same mistake again.

not every dictatorship

HOW TO BE A GREAT DICTATOR Around the world, dozens of countries are still ruled by dictators. While it may not be easy, get a good following and you could go far. Here are some of the common methods that worked among the described four dictators.

• Have a good name. You don’t need to be called “dictator,” but instead try “prime minister” or “chancellor.” You can even have a few like Kim Jong-Il. • Don’t expect to come to power through election (although some have). Dictators usually need to wield their own power. A skilled army is very helpful (military dictatorship).

• A revolution, coups d’etats, or states of emergency are frequently necessary to start a doctoral regime.

• Once in power, most successful dictators rule autocracies (single leader with no government to check power.

• Totalitarian rule (control over mass media) is usually necessary to keep power.

• A cult of personality is very effective by declaring yourself to be flawless (or in come cases even divine).

WHAT NOT TO DO AS A DICTATOR Everyone makes mistakes, but as a future dictator, it is best to get it right the first time. Follow these steps to ensure you don’t make the same mistake as other notable dictators.

• Don’t abuse your powers! Some of the most notable cases or abuse include Caesar and Hitler.

• Do not reform! The Soviet Union was destroyed because the people were used to living their lives without individual freedoms.

• Do not be nice! You must make sure that your subjects live in constant fear.

• Don’t tell the truth. As currently in Syria, their dictator lies all the time--and it works out.

• Do not blame your faults on yourself. It is very important to create a cult of personality and to do so you must appear perfect. Blaming foreigners has recently worked well.

• Don’t try to defend your country yourself! Strengthen your military. It also helps to get nuclear bombs to scare away other countries.

WHICH DICTATOR ARE YOU?

Take this quiz to see which of the dictators on the previous pages is most like you. Finding a role model will put you one step closer to becoming a great dictator some day.

1. Are you US "friendly"?.............................................................................. yes ___ ___ ___ no 2. Do you really love to lead rallies?........................................................... yes ___ ___ ___ no 3. Do you have friends on the wrong side?............................................... yes ___ ___ ___ no 4. In the beginning were you the "Hero"?.................................................. yes ___ ___ ___ no 5. Do you lead a "people's republic"?........................................................ yes ___ ___ ___ no 6. Do you use biological/chemical weapons on your enemies?............. yes ___ ___ ___ no 7. Is all you wear a military uniform?........................................................... yes ___ ___ ___ no 8. Does your friend have a "Final Solution"?.............................................. yes ___ ___ ___ no 9. Do you hide in holes when you are "It"?................................................ yes ___ ___ ___ no 10. Do you like to dress in military attire?..................................................... yes ___ ___ ___ no 11. Do you want to have a "great country"?................................................. yes ___ ___ ___ no 12. Do you have a big bushy beard?............................................................ yes ___ ___ ___ no 13. Are you the reason for a lot of things?................................................... yes ___ ___ ___ no 14. Are you often forgotten?.......................................................................... yes ___ ___ ___ no 15. Do you have an arsenal of nukes?.......................................................... yes ___ ___ ___ no 16. Do you kill people if they don't agree with you?.................................. yes ___ ___ ___ no 17. Do you put your enemies in small boxes?............................................. yes ___ ___ ___ no 18. Do you have a funny little mustache?..................................................... yes ___ ___ ___ no 19. Are you short, fat, and stumpy?............................................................... yes ___ ___ ___ no 20. Do you conquer in unity?......................................................................... yes ___ ___ ___ no 21. Did you lead your troops to "victory"?................................................... yes ___ ___ ___ no 22. Do you threaten people into trade talks?.............................................. yes ___ ___ ___ no 23. Do you like to gas people?...................................................................... yes ___ ___ ___ no 24. Do you like your neighbors?.................................................................... yes ___ ___ ___ no All done? Snap the QR code above to check your answers online.