HIST 106: Lecture 10-Totalitarianism: Russia and Italy

HIST 106: Lecture 10 - Totalitarianism: Russia and Italy

Woodrow Wilson's War Aims:
- Stated aims of the war included "To make the world safe for democracy."
- Postwar disillusionment followed with the peace settlements in Germany, Austria, Hungary, and Italy.
Rise of Dictatorships:
- By 1938, most of the fledgling democracies in Central and Eastern Europe had transitioned into dictatorships.

Characteristics:
- Single Political Party as Driving Force:
- Operates under a specific ideology.
- Cult of Personality:
- Focus on the leader, enhancing their status among the populace.
- Development of Popular Support:
- Mobilizing the public to support the regime.
- Fear:
- Utilization of the military and secret police to enforce compliance and suppress dissent.
- Genuine Enthusiasm through Propaganda:
- Creation of an ideological enemy to justify the regime's actions.
- Control of Educational System:
- Focused on the indoctrination of children into the dominant ideology.
- Centrally Controlled and Directed Economy:
- A characteristic primarily seen in the Soviet Union.

Early Years of the Communist Regime:
- Leader: Vladimir Lenin
- Establishment of the Dictatorship of the Proletariat:
- Following the Bolshevik Revolution.
- Civil War (1918-1921):
- Resulted in Bolshevik victory under the leadership of Leon Trotsky and the Red Army.
- Policies:
- War Communism: Initial economic policy during the civil war focusing on state control.
- New Economic Policy (NEP) (1921-1928):
  - A temporary retreat from extreme socialist policies to stabilize the economy.
- Leadership Structure:
- Politburo of the Communist Party: Central decision-making body.
- Cheka: Secret police responsible for enforcing policies and suppressing opposition.
- Comintern: Organization aimed at fostering a worldwide communist revolution.
- Joseph Stalin's Ideology:
- Promoted the idea of "Socialism in one country."
- Economic Policies:
- Five Year Plans:
  - Focus on rapid industrialization and concentration on heavy industry.
- Collectivization of Agriculture:
  - Aim to create communes and consolidate individual farms.
  - Resistance from Kulaks led to widespread repression, with estimates of 5-6 million killed.
- Great Purge (1936-1938):
- Period of extreme political repression and purging of perceived enemies.

Post-World War I Conditions:
- Characterized by political and economic instability.
- Reputation for having one of the most corrupt governments in Europe.
- Resurgence of Italian Nationalism aimed at a return to the glory of the Roman Empire.
Benito Mussolini (1883-1945):
- Known as Il Duce (The Leader).
- Served as the editor of Avanti, a socialist newspaper.
- Established the Easci di Combattimento in 1919:
- Later transformed into the Fascist Party.
- Blackshirts:
- The paramilitary force supporting Mussolini's regime.
- March on Rome:
- By 1924, Mussolini had effectively become a dictator.
Characteristics of Fascism:
- Cult of Personality:
- Centered around Mussolini as Il Duce.
- Virulently Nationalistic:
- Focused on re-establishing the Roman Empire.
- Militaristic: Emphasized military strength and expansionism.
- Anti-Communist/Anti-Socialist / Anti-Democratic:
- Rejecting alternatives to the fascist ideology.
- Imperialistic Policies:
- Invasion of Ethiopia in 1935.
- Formation of the Rome-Berlin Axis in 1936 with Nazi Germany.
- Provision of aid to Francisco Franco during the Spanish Civil War.
- Economic Corporatism:
- Economic policy aiming to control production through the patronage of incorporating businesses into the state framework.
- Young Fascists:
- Youth organization aimed at indoctrinating young Italians into fascist beliefs.