How did the authoritarian and dictatorial regimes that gained power in the years after world war i acquire and maintain their power ?

Right after World War I, several countries had weak economies and government structures. A perfect example of this would be Germany. After facing their punishments as laid out in the Treaty of Versailles, the German economy tanked and hyperinflation decreased the value of Germany money significantly. During this tough time, the Germans were looking for a leader who would restore Germany to their former glory. This was a promise that Hitler made to the citizens.

Hitler started off as a politician. However, he continued to gain popularity and power as he aligned himself with influential German politicians. Before becoming dictator, he was named Chancellor of Germany. From their, he was able to create a system in which he was absolute ruler. His secret police would use threats, physical violence, and intimidation factors to prevent individuals from challenging his reign. This type of structure was also used by Mussolini in Italy.