12.2 - Totalitarianism (Block D)

Totalitarian Rule

Definition of Totalitarianism

• A form of government that:

  • Prohibits opposition parties

  • Restricts individual opposition to the state and its claims

  • Exercises an extremely high degree of control over public and private life

Historical Examples

• U.S.S.R. under Joseph Stalin

• Nazi Germany under Adolf Hitler

Daily Agenda

• Lecture: 12.2

• Discussion: Sections 01 to 04

• Activity: Create your own totalitarian state

• Homework: Prepare for presentations

Totalitarian vs. Authoritarian Perspectives

Authoritarianism

• Definition:

  • A government characterized by strong central power and limited political freedoms; milder than totalitarianism

• Historical Examples:

  • Venezuela under Hugo Chavez

  • Cuba under Fidel Castro

• Characteristics:

  • Limited personal freedoms

  • Does not seek total control over people's behaviors

  • Often allows some freedom of the press unless critical of the regime

  • Uses less terror and violence against opponents, often not on a massive scale

Key Traits of Totalitarianism

• Ideology:

  • Sets the goals of the state and glorifies its aims

  • Justifies government actions

• Dynamic Leader:

  • Unites people and symbolizes government

• State Control of Individuals:

  • Demands loyalty, denies basic liberties, expects personal sacrifice for the state, encourages support through force of will

• Methods of Enforcement:

  • Police terror

  • Indoctrination

  • Censorship

  • Persecution

• Dictatorship and One-Party Rule:

  • Absolute authority

  • Dominates the government

• State Control of Society:

  • Controls various sectors such as business, religion, education, and the arts

  • Utilizes modern technology for propaganda and advanced military weapons

• Modern Technology:

  • Mass communication to spread propaganda

Total Government Control

Indoctrination

• Instruction in government beliefs to mold perceptions and gain loyalty from a young age

Propaganda & Censorship

• Biased or incomplete information used to manipulate beliefs; severe punishment for dissent

Religious or Ethnic Persecution

• Identification and targeting of scapegoats for governmental failures, including forced relocations and violence

Police Terror

• Utilization of violence to maintain control and suppress opposition

Police State and The Great Purge

• Secret Police (NKVD):

  • Controlled riots, monitored communications, and executed or imprisoned "traitors"

• The Great Purge:

  • A campaign of terror under Stalin aimed at eliminating threats

  • Resulted in mass executions and labor camps for perceived opponents

Propaganda & Censorship in Totalitarian States

• Government control over media (news, TV, music, etc.); censorship of dissenting ideas

• Government promotes atheism over religious teachings, level churches and confiscates religious artifacts and symbols

Economic Control

Command Economy

• Government makes all economic decisions

• First Five-Year Plan (1928-1932):

  • Set high quotas for steel, coal, oil, and electricity, leading to consumer goods shortages

Agricultural Revolution

• Collectivization:

  • Seizure and consolidation of privately owned farms into government-owned farms

Individual Experiences Under Totalitarianism

• Daily life is heavily controlled: women gain rights through state laws

Group Activities

Research and Presentations

• Groups will focus on different nations to analyze features of totalitarianism and authoritarianism

Example Nations

• Afghanistan, Eritrea, North Korea, Turkmenistan, China, Cuba, Russia, etc.

• Group work involves researching, presenting, and collaborating to create a Venn diagram for comparison

Final Presentation Instructions

• Collaborate with another group to showcase comparisons and shared characteristics between selected nations

• Use CIA FactBook or credible sources for research and proper citation.

Summary

• Distinctions between totalitarian and authoritarian regimes involve degrees of control and repression of freedoms. Key examples illustrate the fundamental characteristics, methods, and experiences under such regimes.