Totalitarianism

Introduction Summary: After Lenin dies, Stalin seizes power and

transforms the Soviet Union into a totalitarian state. “Stalin, Lenin’s successor, dramatically transformed the

government of the Soviet Union. Stalin was determined that the Soviet Union should find its place both politically and economically among the most powerful of nations in the world. Using tactics designed to rid himself of opposition, Stalin worked to establish total control of all aspects of life in the Soviet Union. He controlled not only the government, but also the economy and many aspects of citizens’ private lives.” (p. 874)

A Government of Total Control

Total, Centralized State Control Totalitarianism—government that dominates

every aspect of life Totalitarian leader is often dynamic* and

persuasive

*pertaining to or characterized by energy or effective action; vigorously active or forceful; energetic: the dynamic president of the firm.

Police Terror Government uses police to spy on and

intimidate people “Normally, the police are expected to respond to

criminal activity and protect the citizens. In a totalitarian state, the police serve enforce the central government’s policies.” (p. 874)

Indoctrination Government shapes people’s minds through

slanted education “Control of education is absolutely essential to

glorify the leader and his policies and to convince all citizens that their unconditional loyalty and support are required.” (p. 874, 876)

Propaganda and Censorship Totalitarian states spread *propaganda. Government controls all mass media, and

**crushes opposing views.

*biased or incomplete information used to sway people

**censorship

Religious or Ethnic Persecution Leaders brand religious, ethnic minorities

“enemies of the state.”

Ideology

• sets goals ofthe state

• glorified aims ofthe state

• glorified govern

Ideology

• sets goals ofthe state

• glorified aims ofthe state

• glorified govern

Dynamic Leader

• unites people• symbolizesgovernment

• encourages popularsupport through

force of will

Dynamic Leader

• unites people• symbolizesgovernment

• encourages popularsupport through

force of will

Dictatorship &One-Party Rule

• exercises absoluteauthority

• dominates thegovernment

Dictatorship &One-Party Rule

• exercises absoluteauthority

• dominates thegovernment

State Controlof Society

• business• labor

• housing• education

State Controlof Society

• business• labor

• housing• education

Modern Technology

• mass communicationto spread propaganda

• advance militaryweapons

Modern Technology

• mass communicationto spread propaganda

• advance militaryweapons

Methods ofEnforcement:

• police terror• indoctrination

• censorship• persecution

Methods ofEnforcement:

• police terror• indoctrination

• censorship• persecution

State Controlof Individuals

• demands loyalty• denies basic liberties

• expects personalsacrifice for thegood of the state

State Controlof Individuals

• demands loyalty• denies basic liberties

• expects personalsacrifice for thegood of the state

TOTALITARIANISMTOTALITARIANISM

Fear of Totalitarianism George Orwell illustrated the

horrors of a totalitarian government in his novel, 1984. The novel depicts a world in which personal freedom and privacy have vanished. It is a world made possible through modern technology. Even citizen’s homes have television cameras that constantly survey their behavior.

Totalitarian leaders in the 20th century Adolf Hitler (Germany) 1933-1945

Benito Mussolini (Italy) 1925-1943

Joseph Stalin (Soviet Union) 1929-1953

Kim Il Sung (North Korea) 1948-1994

Saddam Hussein (Iraq) 1979-2003

Case Study: Stalinist Russia

Stalin Builds a Totalitarian State Stalin aims to create Communist state in

Russia. He began by destroying his enemies—real and

imagined.

Police State Stalin’s police attack opponents with public force and secret actions

“They monitored telephone lines, read mail, and planted informers everywhere. Even children told authorities about disloyal remarks they heard at home.”

The Great Purge (sometimes called the “Great Terror”)—terror campaign against Stalin’s perceived enemies. The purge involved

The “old Bolsheviks” who helped in the 1917 Revolution. The Red Army leadership Repression of the “Kulaks” or better off, independent landowning peasants

By the end of 1938 Stalin is in complete control; 8-13 million people are dead as a result.

Russian Propaganda and Censorship Government controls

newspapers, radio, and movies.

Stalin developed a “cult of personality” often glorifying himself in official propaganda posters (see right).

Artists are censored, controlled; their work is harnessed to glorify the Party

More Propaganda A poster from the

German Democratic Republic (East Germany) celebrating Stalin’s 70th birthday. The text translates: “The leader and teacher of humanity in the fight for peace, democracy and socialism.”

Yet MORE propaganda! This East German

poster celebrates Stalin’s 73rd birthday in 1952. The text here translates “Long live the standard bearer of peace. the best friend of the German people.”

Education and Indoctrination Government controls all education, from early

grades to college. Children learn the virtues of the Communist

Party. Teachers and students who challenge the

Party are punished.

Religious Persecution Government attacks the Russian Orthodox

Church. Magnificent churches and synagogues are

destroyed. Religious leaders are killed. People lose all personal rights and freedoms.

Stalin Seizes Control of the Economy

New Economic System Command economy—the government makes

all the economic decisions.

An Industrial Revolution Five-Year Plans—Stalin’s plan to

industrialize the Soviet Union Agriculture to Industry

An Agricultural Revolution In 1928, government creates collective farms—large, state-owned farms. Peasants resist this change, and 5-10 million peasants die in the

crackdown. “The government expected that the modern machinery on the collective

farms would boost food production and reduce the number of workers. Resistance was especially strong among kulaks, a class of wealthy peasants. The Soviet government decided to eliminate them.

Peasants actively fought the government’s attempt to take their land. Many killed livestock and destroyed crops in protest. Soviet secret police herded peasants onto collective farms at the point of a bayonet. Between 5 million and 10 million peasants died as a direct result of Stalin’s agricultural revolution. By 1938, more than 90 percent of all peasants lived on collective farms.” (p. 878)

By 1938, agricultural production is rising.

Daily Life Under Stalin

Gains at Great Cost People better educated, gain new skills. Limited personal freedoms; very few

consumer goods.

Woman Gain Rights Communists say women are equal to men. Women forced to join labor force; state

provides child care Many women receive advanced educations

and become professionals. Women suffer from the demands of work and

family.

Total Control Achieved

Powerful Ruler By mid-1930s, Stalin has transformed Soviet

Union Totalitarian regime; industrial, political power

Stalin controls all aspects of Soviet life: Unopposed as dictator, Communist Party leader Rules by terror instead of constitutional

government Demands conformity and obedience.