1. Totalitarianism
Chapter 29-1

2. Totalitarianism vs. Conservative Authoritarianism (Absolutism)
Conservative Authoritarianism (absolutism) was the traditional European form of anti-democratic government
Examples: Louis XIV, Peter the Great, Frederick the Great, Catherine the Great, Metternich

3. Conservative Authoritarianism
Tried to prevent changes that threatened the existing social order
Most people tended to be more concerned with local affairs that had a real impact on their lives
Popular participation in government was discouraged
This is a contrast with Totalitarianism: Hitler Youth, Stalin’s 5-Year Plans

4. Conservative Authoritarianism
In a Totalitarianism regime people were expected to participate enthusiastically
Conservative Authoritarianism was limited in its power and objectives so usually sought the status quo: lacked the technology necessary to control all aspects of people’s lives
Usually limited their demands to taxes, army recruits and passive acceptance of the regime

5. After WWI Conservative Authoritarianism was revived
Especially in Less-developed Eastern Europe, Spain, Portugal
The New Czech Republic remained democratic
The Depression saw the end of various levels of democracy in Austria, Bulgaria, Romania. Greece, Estonia, Latvia

6. Totalitarianism
Was made possible by new technology: radio, automobile, telephone
Government could wiretap phone lines and spy on citizens
Improved transport and communication allowed regimes to coordinate with local officials
Autos and trucks gave regimes new mobility
Radio was used as tool for propaganda

7. Tools of Totalitarianism:
Censorship: No freedom of the press. It became an organ of the government
Indoctrination: education was geared to create loyalty to the state while demonizing the nation’s enemies
Terror: Failure to comply = serious consequences: imprisonment, death

8. Totalitarian Regimes either
Fascist or Communist
Glorified the state Dictatorship of the proletariat; a classless society
Condemns democracy Condemns Capitalism
Supports capitalism if No private property
it serves the needs of
the state

9. Fascism vs. Communism Corporate State: Economy is centralized
Captains of Industry under the communist
become state party
economic deputies
Aggressive nationalism Spread of communism
for the benefit of the
world’s working class
(Comintern)

10. Fascism vs. Communism Advocates Social Darwinism Condemns
(stronger states should imperialism:
Control weaker states) Workers united in
world without
nationalism
Believes that peace shows
Weakness of the government Peace is the
Goal

11. Fascism vs. Communism Military service is Violent revolution is
glorified the means to the end
Emphasizes inequalities Emphasizes the
among humans perfectibility of
society: Mankind is
basically good

12. The USSR under Lenin Marxist-Leninist Philosophy:
Theory of Imperialism: Imperialism is the highest form of capitalism as the search for new markets and raw materials feeds the bourgeoisie’s hunger for more profits
Conquered people are ruthlessly exploited

13. Leninist Philosophy
Marx did not envision a totalitarian dictatorship ruled from above
Lenin envisioned a new type of party: a cadre of educated professional revolutionaries to develop a political class consciousness and guide the Dictatorship of the Proletariat

14. Lenin and Marx Both sought a world-wide communist movement
1919 a Comintern was created (aka The Third International) to serve as the first step of the International movement: Workers of the world Unite!

15. War Communism The purpose was to win the Russian Civil War
Nationalized (socialized) the means of production and central planning of the economy
In the end the Bolsheviks destroyed the economy: mass starvation, decrease in industrial output

16. War Communism Continued
The Cheka (secret police) liquidated about 250,000 opponents
1921 Kronstadt Rebellion: Mutiny by previously pro-Bolshevik sailors at the Kronstadt naval base
Was crushed but caused by the economic disaster and social upheaval of the civil war

17. The NEP
The New Economic Policy attempted to eliminate the harsher aspects of war communism
It was a response to economic ruin, peasant revolts, and military mutiny
It allowed for some capitalist measures
Called a necessary step backward by Lenin

18. NEP Government would no longer seize surplus grain
Peasants could sell it on the open market
Small manufacturers could run their own businesses
Government still controlled heavy industry, banks, and railroads
Results of the NEP: Some economic improvement

19. Results of the NEP Economy back to pre-war levels
Workers enjoyed shorter hours and better working conditions
Temporary relaxation of censorship and terror
1923 Russia was renamed the Soviet Union…..The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics….USSR

20. Lenin died in 1924 He had not chosen a successor Stalin: a realist
Believed in “Socialism in one country”
Wait until Russia was strong…THEN an international communist movement
Wanted to establish a socialist economy without the aid of the West

21. Trotsky Also wanted control Was more of a Marxist
Believed in the continuation of a world communist revolution
Party leaders believed Trotsky was too much of an idealist and supported Stalin
Stalin gained control by 1927
Trotsky was exiled and assassinated (1940 Mexico) by Stalin’s agents

22. The Soviet Union Under Stalin
Lenin’s Politburo was purged
Lenin’s NEP was scrapped
1928 The First 5-Year Plan
Objectives:
Increase industrial output by 250%
Increase steel production by 300%
Increase agricultural output by 150%

23. The First 5-Year Plan’s Results
Steel Production up 400%
USSR the 2nd largest steel producer in Europe
Oil production up 300%
Massive urbanization
25 million moved to the cities
BUT standard of living did not improve
AND quality of goods was substandard

24. Stalin
Said, “We are 50 or 100 years behind the advanced countries. We must make good this distance in 10 years. Either we do it or we shall go under.”
Under 1st 5-Year Plan 20% of peasants were scheduled to give up their private plots and join collective farms.

25. Collectivization Purpose:
To bring the peasants under direct control of the state
Machinery was used in agriculture to provide more workers for industry
Government control over production
Extend socialism to the countryside

26. Collectivization continued
Individual peasant farms were consolidated into large, state-controlled farms
Farmers were paid according to the amount of work they did
A portion of the harvest was taken by the government to feed urban workers
Farmers had to meet grain quotas before they could feed themselves

27. Results of Collectivization
Much opposition by the farmers
The Kulaks (wealthiest peasants) put up the greatest opposition
Stalin ordered them liquidated…they were
10 million died as a result of collectivization
7 million in forced starvation in the Ukraine
Agricultural output: no improvement over 1913
1933: 60% on collectives, 1938 was 93%

28. Government Structure under Stalin
General Secretary was the highest position in government. This was Stalin’s title
Politburo about 12 members. Discussed policy and personnel
Central Committee: about 70 people in the 30’s

29. Stalin’s propaganda campaign
Purpose: To glorify work and encourage productivity
Used technology for propaganda:
Newspapers (The Pravda)
Radio broadcasts
Films (Sergi Eisenstein)
All emphasized Soviet achievements and capitalist plots

30. Stalin’s propaganda campaign
Writers and artists were expected to glorify Stalin and the state
Their work was closely monitored
Religions were persecuted
Stalin hoped to turn churches into “museums of atheism”

31. Benefits for Workers Old age pensions Free medical services
Free education
Free day care for children
Education was the key to the way up
Mainly specialized skills and technological education
Disillusioned Westerners were attracted to USSR

32. Women Women were given complete equality with the revolution
In 1920’s divorce and abortion readily available
The state encouraged women to work outside of the home and to “liberate” themselves
Rapid change led to broken families
Men still got the best jobs
Women still stuck with household duties

33. The Great Terror
Terror was used on peasants, leading communists, & ordinary people often for no apparent reason
The “Great Terror” resulted in 8 million arrests
“Show Trials” usually of ex-party members to eradicate “enemies of the people”
Late 1930’s the Old Bolsheviks (followers of Lenin) were tried and executed

34. Purges 40,000 army officers were expelled or liquidated
This hurt Russia badly in WWII
Millions were killed or disappeared or sent to forced labor camps called Gulags