If you really want to understand how people became willing killers for Hitler, Stalin, and Mao read “The Psychology of Mass Fascism” by Wilhelm Reich. Fascism by any other name is socialism - so its is the same mechanism.
I have always found it interesting that so many people view Fascism and Socialism (Communism) as somehow being at the opposite ends of the political spectrum, when in reality, they are both at the same end of the political spectrum.
(If you can’t tell, I am an adherent to the political spectrum that places total government control and tyranny at one end of the spectrum, and total anarchy (no government) at the other)
I am told by some that is incorrect, but...that makes total sense to me, and explains why fascists and communists I am told viewed the rank and file of the other as fertile ground for recruitment...at least in the earlier part of the 20th Century.
Thanks for the recommendations. I’ve put both on my reading list.
Also watch “Death of a Nation” It will open your eyes.