The Rise of Totalitarianism

Although Stalin may have fallen on the opposite side of the political spectrum from Hitler and Mussolini, they had several similar characteristics and practices.  What were a few of these similarities?

Extreme Leaders

There is an old adage, "extreme conditions require extreme measures".  Some say the extreme conditions that occurred after the First World War opened society up to the extreme leaders such as Mussolini, Stalin & Hitler.  After watching The Wave, what do extreme leaders offer so that otherwise good people follow someone blindly?

The Eastern Front

In reality, Russia really fought 2 wars during 1914-1917.  They fought an international war against the Central Powers but they also had an internal (civil) war within their own nations.  The Russian Revolution outlasted their international war.  Why would Russia change their focus from the World War to their internal struggles?