In the 1930s, the policies pursued by the regimes of Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union differed most in terms of

Nazi Germany did not encourage mass participation in government programs from a democratic standpoint; rather, it mandated conformity and loyalty to the state. In contrast, the Soviet Union promoted state-sponsored programs that encouraged mass participation among workers and peasants, aligning with its ideals of collective governance, albeit within a totalitarian framework.

Both regimes utilized government-sponsored terror; however, the nature and focus of this terror differed. In Nazi Germany, terror was largely directed at ethnic minorities and perceived racial enemies, while the Soviet Union primarily targeted political dissidents and class enemies. Although both engaged in brutal repression, the primary ideological justifications were distinct.

While both regimes exhibited a cult of personality, particularly around Hitler and Stalin, the militaristic ethos was more pronounced in Nazi Germany as part of its expansionist ambitions and Aryan supremacy. The Soviet Union also had military elements but was primarily focused on class struggle and maintaining communist ideology, making it less prominent than in Nazi Germany.