Chapter 27(Dictatorships and the Second World War)

Totalitarianism

A form of government that seeks total control over every aspect of its citizens’ lives, including beliefs and behaviors.

Conservative Authoritarianism

Regimes that are historically rooted and limited in scope, allowing certain personal freedoms as long as the regime's compliance is maintained.

Fascism

A radical totalitarian ideology promoting national unity, anti-socialism, militarism, and often involving eugenics and racism.

Communism

A radical totalitarian ideology advocating for international working-class solidarity and a classless society.

Stalin's Five-Year Plans

Initiatives focused on rapid industrialization and collectivization of agriculture in the Soviet Union.

New Economic Policy (NEP)

A policy introduced by Lenin post-civil war allowing limited private trade to stimulate the economy.

Great Purges

Campaigns by Stalin targeting perceived enemies, resulting in around 6 million arrests, many executed or sent to labor camps.

Nuremberg Laws

Laws that defined Jewish identity in Nazi Germany and stripped away the rights of Jews.

Holocaust

The systematic extermination of about 6 million Jews, among others deemed undesirable, during World War II.

Axis Powers

Countries led by Germany, Italy, and Japan during World War II, noted for their aggressive expansionism.

Appeasement

The policy of making concessions to dictatorial powers to avoid conflict, notably practiced by Western powers before WWII.

Charismatic leaders

Influential figures like Stalin, Mussolini, and Hitler, who fostered political movements centered on collective harmony.

Radical vs. Conservative Dictatorships

The 1920s through 30s showcased conservative regimes emphasizing traditional values versus radical regimes featuring extreme ideologies.

Post-war Europe

Faced reconstruction challenges that paved the way for economic recovery and the discrediting of totalitarian ideologies.

Totalitarian regime characteristics

Involve one-party systems that replace parliamentary democracy, relying on propaganda and repression.