Early 20th c. “-isms” of the InterWar Period

Authoritarianism

A political system in which power is concentrated in the hands of a leader (dictator) or a small elite that is not constitutionally responsible to the public.

Totalitarianism

A political system in which the state holds total authority over society and seeks to control all aspects of public and private life wherever possible.

Communism

A political and economic ideology that aims for a classless society in which all property and resources are communally owned, eliminating personal wealth distinctions.

Joseph Stalin

A Soviet political leader who governed the Soviet Union from the mid

Fascism

An authoritarian, ultranationalist political ideology and movement characterized by a dictatorial leader, centralized autocracy, militarism, forcible suppression of opposition, belief in a natural social hierarchy, subordination of individual interests for the good of the nation, and strong regimentation of society and the economy.

Fascist Italy

The authoritarian, nationalist, and corporatist political system that was established in Italy under the leadership of Benito Mussolini from 1922 to 1943.

Nazism

An ideology and practice associated with the 20th

Militarism (in Imperial Japan)

Influenced societal values by embedding military ideals such as discipline, loyalty, and sacrifice into everyday life.

Pan

Asianism

Authoritarianism (13

word definition)

Totalitarianism (13

word definition)

Communism (13

word definition)

Fascism (13

word definition)

Militarism (13

word definition)

Stalin's regime of terror

Using purges and show trials to eliminate opposition.

Goal of Fascist Italy

Creating a new Roman Empire.

Goal of Nazism

To establish a unified and racially pure Germany through aggressive expansion and extermination.

Fascist regimes in the 1920s & 30s

ANTI communist.

Totalitarianism vs Communism/Fascism

Totalitarianism served as an umbrella for regimes that controlled all aspects of life.

Primary focus of interwar authoritarian ideologies

Systems that demanded absolute state loyalty.

Impact of Japanese militarism on education

Emphasized values of national pride and duty to the state.

Shared trait of interwar ~isms

Maintained distinct views on social class, race, and economic structure despite rejecting democracy.