Common Principles of Totalitarianism Nazi Germany, Communist USSR, Fascist Italy & Spain, and Imperial Japan
Totalitarianism An extreme authoritarian system where the government aims to control all aspects of life Social Economic Cultural
Totalitarianism "Everything within the state, nothing outside the state, nothing against the state --Benito Mussolini
Social Social Life refers to a persons interpersonal relationships.
Social Social Life refers to a persons interpersonal relationships.
Economic Economic life refers to a persons job and the country's resources.
Economic Economic life refers to a persons job and the country's resources.
Cultural Cultural life refers to the arts including literature, journalism, and entertainment.
Cultural Cultural life refers to the arts including literature, journalism, and entertainment.
Totalitarianism Single-Party State: A state where only one political party is legally permitted to operate.
Totalitarianism Single-Party State: A state where only one political party is legally permitted to operate. What are some of the reasons people might support a single-party state? Can you think of a single-party state we recently studied the beginnings of?
Totalitarianism Single-Party State: A state where only one political party is legally permitted to operate. Typically arise during periods of crisis. War (or aftermath of War) Economic Collapse Religious or Ethnic Strife Deep Social Divisions or Class Conflict
Extreme Measures Crisis leads to hopelessness, a fear for the future, or concerns about society descending into chaos. People may become attracted to extreme measures or ideologies which promise to restore hope, optimism, or order in everyday life
Categories of Analysis An analysis of the rise of a single-party state can be divided into three categories: The Leader The historical context The elimination of the opposition
The Leader The totalitarian states leading into WW2 all developed a heroic, idealized image of their leader: CULT OF PERSONALITY
The Leader The totalitarian states leading into WW2 all developed a heroic, idealized image of their leader: CULT OF PERSONALITY Journal: What are some things that might help turn a political leader into a larger-than-life, heroic figure?
The Leader Some aspects: Physical appearance, charisma, strength/power. Intelligence, spiritual depth Personal skills (writing, speaking, etc.) Recruitment Personal History Motivation and Vision
Totalitarianism The leader must present: -Ideology (broad principles and vision) -Political platform (a specific plan).
Josef Stalin (USSR)
Francisco Franco (Spain)
Emperor Hirohito (Japan) Hideki Tojo (Japan)
Adolf Hitler (Germany) Benito Mussolini (Italy)
COMMUNIST STATE ( left wing ) Dictatorship of the Proletariat - Totalitarian one-party system Government ownership of means of production and land Social and economic (not political) equality for all citizens Emphasis on class conflict, spreading revolution internationally FASCIST STATE ( right wing ) Totalitarian one-party system with godlike leader Private ownership of means of production and land Social and economic inequality seen as Natural Law Strongly nationalist, focused on violence/conquest
COMMUNIST STATE ( left wing ) Dictatorship of the Proletariat - Totalitarian one-party system Government ownership of means of production and land Social and economic (not political) equality for all citizens Emphasis on class conflict, spreading revolution internationally FASCIST STATE ( right wing ) Totalitarian one-party system with godlike leader Private ownership of means of production and land Social and economic inequality seen as Natural Law Strongly nationalist, focused on violence/conquest What types of people or social/economic classes might these different totalitarian systems appeal to? Why?