Totalitarianism of the 1920s and 1930s (Modern Dictatorships)

Fascism

Loyalty to the state and obedience to the ruler.

Class-based society

A key belief in fascism where social hierarchy is maintained.

Communism

An ideology advocating for a classless society and the abolition of private property.

Covenant in Fascism

A reciprocal relationship where loyalty to the state and leader is met with national pride and economic benefits.

Cult of personality

A situation where a leader is regarded as a god-like figure by followers.

Nazi Party

The National Socialist German Workers’ Party, led by Adolf Hitler.

Fascist Party

The political party led by Benito Mussolini in Italy.

Anti-Semitism

Hostility or prejudice against Jewish people, significant in Nazi ideology.

Mein Kampf

The autobiography of Adolf Hitler where he outlines his ideology and political beliefs.

Propaganda

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

Gestapo

The secret police in Nazi Germany, tasked with hunting down enemies of the state.

OVRA

The secret police in Fascist Italy used to eliminate opposition.

Lebensraum

The concept of 'living space' that refers to the territory that a nation believes is necessary for its survival.

Black Shirts

Members of Mussolini's Fascist party who used violence to intimidate opponents.

Totalitarianism

A centralized government that does not tolerate parties of differing opinion and exercises dictatorial control.

Stalinism

The political system under Joseph Stalin in the Soviet Union characterized by totalitarianism and state control of the economy.

Five-Year Plans

Stalin's framework for the rapid industrialization and collectivization of the Soviet economy.

Shintoism

The traditional religion of Japan which emphasizes the worship of kami (spirits) and the emperor.

Militarism

The belief that a country should maintain a strong military capability and be prepared to use it aggressively.

Censorship

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

Total state control

A characteristic of totalitarian regimes where the government has or demands complete control over all aspects of life.