Analysis Of In The Time Of The Butterflies By Julia Alvarez

Throughout history, dictatorships have proven to be an important and intricate part of many countries histories. In the Time of the Butterflies, by Julia Alvarez, takes place in the Dominican Republic under the leadership of the notorious dictator Rafael Trujillo. In this book, there is important insight into living under Trujillo's regime from his wrongful treatment of women, controlling and often violent system, and self-deification. Another dictator by the name of Joseph Stalin is known for an especially cruel leadership in Soviet Union. They changed the Dominican Republic and Soviet Union immensely from improvements, different systems, and a new level of treatment towards their citizens. Although these dictators acted to benefit their countries

The positive changes that these leaders caused were similar, although the specifics of what aspects their countries needed the most improvement with varied between the two. Under Trujillo, the quality of life of an average Dominican increased immensely. More specifically, a stronger education system was put into place and enforced by Trujillo. As a result, the high levels of illiteracy decreased throughout the island (Rogozinski). In a world of modernizing and industrialization, he led the Dominican Republic down a path of becoming more industrialized similar to many places during that time. Everything from roads, sanitation, to even their agriculture was improved because of Trujillo. Stalins situation was slightly different in the sense that the Soviet Union did not have the same conditions as the Dominican Republic. Their education systems and roads did not need the same improvements, but other areas such as its agriculture needed some work. With Stalin controlling many aspects of the Soviet Union, he increased its agriculture and industrialized like Trujillo. The Soviet Union ultimately became one of the more powerful countries in the world. Trujillo and Stalin knew what needed to be done in order to better their countries and the lives of those living in it. All this could be deemed unnecessary, but these dictators acted to benefit their

In order to achieve and keep the amount of control that he did, Trujillo rigged the elections and eventually used four "puppet presidents" (Lopez-Calvo) by the names of Jacinto Bienvenido Peynado, Manuel de Jesus Troncaso de la Concha, Hector Bienvenido "Negro" Trujillo, and Joaquin Balaguer in order to fake an alternation in the power. In addition, his potential rivals often disappeared as a result of torture or even murder. Similar to Trujillo, Stalin also eliminating his opponents, but originally did so only to gain power. At first he ruled with Lev Kamenev and Grigory Zinoviev, but made moves against them in order to become the sole leader of the Soviet Union. These two dictators used deceit and lies in order to achieve their goals. They always got their way by rigging elections, secret torture and schemes, and violent murders. It's important to note that these methods are not moral on any grounds. They used the power they had and used it to gain even more. Their methods were certainly uncommon among all leaders in history as they were undoubtably cruel. This cruelty was also evident in other areas of their regimes, including those who were under their