Authoritarian Control in 20th Century States: Hitler and Castro

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms and concepts relating to the authoritarian control exercised by Hitler in Germany and Castro in Cuba during the 20th century.

Authoritarian Control

A political system characterized by strong central power and limited political freedoms.

Enabling Act (1933)

A law that allowed Hitler to enact laws without parliamentary consent, giving him dictatorial powers.

Gleichschaltung

A German term meaning 'bringing into line', referring to Hitler's consolidation of power by eliminating political opposition.

People's Court (1934)

A court established by Hitler to punish enemies of the state, devoid of fairness or justice.

Censorship

The suppression of speech, public communication, or other information that may be considered objectionable.

Gestapo

The secret police in Nazi Germany that used terror to enforce compliance and eliminate opposition.

Repressive Forces

Military and police units used to enforce a regime's control and suppress dissent.

CDRs (Committees for the Defense of the Revolution)

Community organizations in Cuba that monitored citizens for anti-government activities.

Indoctrination

The process of teaching a person or group to accept a set of beliefs uncritically.

Political Opposition

Groups or individuals who actively disagree with or challenge the ruling government.

Propaganda

Information, often biased or misleading, used to promote a political cause or point of view.

Social Policies

Policies that aim to improve social welfare and address social issues.

Military Repression

Using military forces to suppress opposition and maintain control over the populace.

Purges

The removal of individuals or groups deemed undesirable by a political leader or regime.

Ideological Control

Manipulating beliefs and values to align individuals' thoughts with those of the regime.

Counter-Revolutionaries

Individuals or groups opposing a revolutionary movement, often targeted in repressive actions.

Cuban Revolution

An armed revolt led by Fidel Castro against the U.S.-backed regime of Batista in Cuba.

Surveillance System

A method of monitoring individuals to prevent dissent and maintain control.

Youth Organizations

Groups designed to indoctrinate young people into the ideologies of a regime.

Healthcare & Social Welfare

Programs that provide medical care and improve the living conditions of citizens.

Persecution

The systematic mistreatment of an individual or group, often based on identity or beliefs.

Mass Rallies

Large public gatherings used to promote ideological messages and strengthen support for a regime.

Authoritarian Control

A political system characterized by strong central power and limited political freedoms.

Enabling Act (1933)

A German law that allowed Hitler to enact laws without parliamentary consent, granting him dictatorial powers.

Gleichschaltung

A German term meaning 'bringing into line,' referring to Hitler's consolidation of power by eliminating political opposition and making Germany a one-party state.

People's Court (1934)

A court established by Hitler to punish enemies of the state, where judges strictly followed Nazi orders instead of principles of fairness or truth.

White Rose Movement

A small-scale resistance group of university students in Nazi Germany who spread anti-Nazi leaflets to protest Hitler's rule and advocate for human rights.

Censorship

The suppression of speech, public communication, or other information that a regime considers objectionable, often used by both Hitler and Castro to control public narrative.

Gestapo

The secret police in Nazi Germany that used terror, constant surveillance, and arrests without trial to enforce compliance and eliminate opposition.

Repressive Forces

Military and police units used by authoritarian regimes to enforce control, suppress dissent, and maintain order over the populace.

Night of the Long Knives (1934)

A political purge carried out by Hitler's regime to eliminate internal threats within the Nazi party, securing his dominance.

Wehrmacht Oath (1934)

The personal oath of loyalty sworn by the German army (Wehrmacht) directly to Adolf Hitler, reinforcing his control over the military.

Reichstag Fire Decree (1933)

A decree signed by President Hindenburg under Hitler's pressure, which suspended civil liberties and was used by the Nazis to suppress communists and other political opponents.

CDRs (Committees for the Defense of the Revolution)

Community organizations in Cuba established by Castro that monitored citizens in their neighborhoods for anti-government activities, fostering fear and suppressing dissent.

Granma

Cuba's official state newspaper under Fidel Castro, which controlled all published information to align with the government's official party line and prevent criticism.

Radio Rebelde

A Cuban radio station specifically used by Fidel Castro to spread revolutionary ideas and propaganda, aiming to build public trust and support for his leadership.

Censorship of Foreign Media (Cuba)

Castro's policy of stopping anti-communist news and diverse opinions from other countries to control the information accessible to the Cuban population.

Indoctrination

The systematic process of teaching a person or group to uncritically accept a set of beliefs, often employed by authoritarian regimes through education and youth organizations.

Political Opposition

Groups or individuals who actively disagree with or challenge the ruling government, often targeted and suppressed in authoritarian regimes.

Propaganda

Information, often biased or misleading, used by regimes (like those of Hitler and Castro) to promote their political cause, build heroic images of leaders, and control public opinion.

Social Policies

Government policies that aim to improve social welfare and address social issues, often utilized by regimes (e.g., Castro's Cuba) to gain public loyalty and support.

UMAP Labor Camps

Forced labor camps in Castro's Cuba where political opponents and certain social groups were sent as punishment to suppress dissent and discourage opposition.

Military Repression

The use of military forces to suppress opposition, maintain control over the populace, and prevent coups or rebellions within a regime.

Purges

The systematic removal of individuals or groups deemed undesirable by a political leader or regime, such as Castro's 1968 Microfaction Purge targeting dissenting government officials.

Ideological Control

The manipulation of beliefs and values to align individuals' thoughts with those of the ruling regime, often achieved through propaganda, education, and social programs.

Counter-Revolutionaries

Individuals or groups opposing a revolutionary movement, often targeted in repressive actions by the new regime (e.g., in Castro's Cuba).

Cuban Revolution

An armed revolt led by Fidel Castro that overthrew the U.S.-backed regime of Batista in Cuba, leading to Castro's long-term authoritarian rule.

Surveillance System

A method of continuous monitoring of individuals or groups by the state to prevent dissent, identify opposition, and maintain control, exemplified by Cuba's CDRs.

Youth Organizations

Groups like the Hitler Youth and League of German Girls, designed to indoctrinate young people into the ideologies of a regime from an early age, securing long-term loyalty.

Strength Through Joy (KdF)

A Nazi program that offered workers leisure activities like holidays, sports, and concerts to distract them from political problems, foster loyalty, and create a sense of belonging to the regime.

Healthcare & Social Welfare

Programs that provide medical care, education, jobs, and improve living conditions, strategically used by leaders like Castro to build public loyalty and support for the regime.

Persecution

The systematic mistreatment of an individual or group, often based on identity or beliefs (e.g., Hitler's Aryan Policies and anti-Semitism uniting Germans against Jews), used to punish dissent and divert public attention.

Mass Rallies

Large public gatherings used by leaders (e.g., Castro) to promote ideological messages, strengthen support, create a sense of unity, and project an image of a caring leader.

Sebastian Balfour (Historian)

Argued that Castro's control was based on loyalty to his revolutionary ideals among many officials and citizens, not solely fear, which contributed to his regime's stability.

Detlev Peukert (Historian)

Noted that despite some resistance from youth and church groups, the majority of Germans still followed Nazi rules and beliefs, ensuring strong overall control for Hitler.

Carlos Eire (Historian)

Suggested that economic hardships in Cuba, such as during the Special Period, potentially weakened public trust in Castro's regime, highlighting limits to absolute control.