You forget that it was ultimately the people themselves that made those countries have political freedom because they wanted it themselves right.

People knew what autocratic government was like, and couldn't get rid of it soon enough.

If any of you are playing with the idea that autocracy might actually be good for a country; do this thought experiment: instead of thinking your favorite group would wield that power, what if your least favorite group would have that power? Wouldn't you be thankful for the protections that the law gives you in that situation? Taking away the protections of people, means that there's nothing you can do when you get targeted. And in an autocratic society that's just up to a single opinion which you don't control.