Good Things Evil Dictators Did

Believe it or not, dictators weren’t all bad all the time… just 99% of it. In between eradicating entire ethnic groups, they sometimes had to pause and think about the most effective way to maintain an iron grip on their population, and bizarrely… that often led to some small silver linings.

So, while these dictators may not have set out to accomplish a good deed, some of their actions were a force for positive change. Sometimes, even evil needs some good PR.

🗓️ Topics Discussed
Hitler’s Animal Solution
Illiteracy in Iraq
Genghis Khan’s Intelligent Society
Learning to Read with Stalin

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Credit:
Simple History Creator: Daniel Turner (B.A. (Hons) in History, University College London)
Video Directors: Anthony Barrett, Denis Blinov
Script: Tash Martell
Script Review: Denis Blinov
Artists: ShyShelly, Arya Ahumada Lydisma
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Simple History Channel Manager: James Dowse

[awesomehpt]

Hitler also wanted people to cut down on smoking, protect the environment and build nice straight roads called autobahns

[Ididitlikethis]

Hitler also gave Indiana Jones his autograph, so there’s that.

[BobPantsSpongeSquare]

To quote Sokka when sarcastically describing Zuko:
"In a lifetime of evil at least he didn't add animal cruelty to the list."

[awesomehpt]

Even a broken clock is right twice a day

[Pundit]

The Nazis did a lot of things we still use to this very day.
Methadone, the VW "bug", the highway system, rockets, Fanta Drink, started anti-smoking movement due to their research, they did a ton of work on healthy foods, and much, much more.

[Tony]

You missed a huge one from Mussolini and Italy, definitely the greatest one compared to all other examples in this video.
They ended slavery that was still legal in Abyssinia/Ethiopia during the start of their occupation in 1935.

[JangianTV]

"Every human being has something of value that they brought to the table..."

[jokodihaynes]

"Would I rather be feared or loved easy both I want people to be afraid of how much they loved me"-Michael Scott the office

[batprime]

The only good dictator I can think of was Taiwan’s last dictator. He actually listened to the people and made the country a democracy and got re elected

[TheCrustimusticus]

He’s like a Disney princess, all the animals gather when he makes a speech.

[SiosBarbos]

Unironically almost all dictators improved their literacy rates.

[deloreanfan]

No one is 100% dark just like how no one is 100% light.

[Petreski]

Unemployment went from 34% in 1933 Germany to basically 0% in early 1939, the GDP nearly doubled in the same years, inflation was stabilized very quickly after they took power, I can go on and on, not justifying any crimes, crimes are crimes, but this people where very capable and smart.

[SoupAlchemist]

As evil as these people were, I always hate that fiction treats them as "pure evil douchebags" or "unintelligent." They're evil, no duh. But theyre not comically stupid. Excellent video

[WiseArkAngel]

Saddam Hussein: YOU ARE GOING TO READ AND YOU ARE GOING TO FUCKING LIKE IT!

[Jerry-xjhc]

1:35: does this make him a Disney princess

[lostwizardcat]

Thank god someone with a fanbase that's actually willing to show the uncomfortable sides of history. Too often do we see one side constantly lambasted( and rightfully so) and its easy to forget the actual truth of what really happened. Its easy to call one side entirely evil when you omit every good thing they've ever done.

[VirginSnake]

I feel like Gadaffi would've been a nice addition to this list. Despite the fact he had some dictatorial qualities, his rule saw Libya go from a backwards desert to (maybe) the only African country with First World standards of life.
Pity his death wrecked Libya into the mess it is today.

[vijayraj]

0:12 'Dic'tators😂 as if he said that purposefully

[Rychleji]

Apparently, Hitler was vegetarian because of his health and not conviction (and even ate meat on occasions).