Final answer:
Western democracies and totalitarian states differed in their approach to mobilizing and conducting war during 1939-1945. Democracies relied on conscription and democratic decision-making, while totalitarian states used forced labor and concentrated power in a single leader. However, both sides used propaganda and advanced military technology in their war efforts.
Step-by-step explanation:
Differences:
- Western democracies generally relied on conscription to mobilize their military forces, while totalitarian states often used a combination of conscription and forced labor.
- In Western democracies, decision-making about war strategies and policies was typically done through democratic processes, with input from elected officials and military advisors. In contrast, totalitarian states concentrated power in the hands of a single leader or a small group of elites who made decisions without democratic oversight.
Similarities:
- Both Western democracies and totalitarian states made use of propaganda to rally support for their war efforts. They utilized various media outlets to disseminate information that promoted their respective ideologies and portrayed their enemies negatively.
- Both sides utilized advanced military technology and tactics during the war. This included the use of tanks, aircraft, submarines, and other innovative weapons and strategies to gain a military advantage.