Quick Write: Imagine you live in a world where the government decides what you wear, what school you go to, what job you will get, and what you watch/do for entertainment. How do you think life would be like for you? Describe it. Would you like it here? Do you think a government has/could ever get this much power?

The “Scoop” about Totalitarianism As told through mass media:

You will learn: 1.) What totalitarianism is 2.) How totalitarian governments rose to power 3.) You will get the whole “SCOOP” about totalitarian governments. 4.) How totalitarianism is portrayed in movies and literature Throughout this unit, keep in mind what you learn about totalitarian states, as we look at the leaders that emerged in Europe after WWI.

Why did I underline TOTAL in totalitarianism? Totalitarianism: is a form of government that aims to control all aspects of society including the political, economic, social, intellectual, and cultural lives of its citizens. Why did I underline TOTAL in totalitarianism?

How do totalitarian governments come to power? Totalitarian states rise to power first by dramatizing the instability and problems of the old government. Totalitarian regimes come to power by offering to correct and improve upon the society by providing plans and programs for a more secure and better society.

How Totalitarian regimes come to power? In other words, to gain power, the regime might exploit popular fears and prejudices. They offer a revolutionary break from the past. A.) provide scapegoat for past wrongs B.) promises a future of peace and plenty How did Lenin come to power? *Keep A and B in mind especially when we look at Hitler

The “Scoop” about totalitarianism The 5 Elements of a Totalitarian State

Totalitarian Element #1 Supreme leader of single party 1.) Ruled by an autonomous supreme leader (typically known a dictator): Leader is typically charismatic, perceived as wise and paternal (caring). You will especially see this in our discussion of Stalin, in what is known as the “Cult of the leader.” Propaganda posters of Stalin during his reign. How do you think Stalin would have perceived in these posters?

Totalitarian Element #2 Controls Society 2.) Government controls all organizations, including: schools, entertainment, the arts, labor unions, religion, and the economy. Is this a laissez faire government?

Totalitarian Element #3 Owns the Media Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 3.) Government controls the means of information. As such it can use the television, radio, press, and education as a tool to support their regime. What is this called when government tries to influence people through media? _______________ George Orwell’s 1984 Propaganda

Totalitarian Element #4 Obedience to state and leader 4.) Totalitarian governments demand and enforce Total conformity of its citizens, to the ideas and beliefs of the state and its leader. Conformity is achieved through the use of: organization of the government Fear Terror. Nazi Germany 1930’s Burma 2011

Totalitarian Element #5 Police to ensure compliance 5.) Use of police (secret police). This secret police serves the leader and totalitarian state by monitoring and controlling citizens to follow the laws of the state. Gestapo, secret police of Nazi Germany Fahrenheit 451 What was the name of the secret police used by Lenin and Stalin?

Finding features of Totalitarianism in Movies and literature To help you better understand some of the various features of a totalitarian state I would like us to watch a few movie clips and read a few excerpts from novels. As you watch/read, please try to identify some of the 5 elements of a totalitarian state that we just discussed. In other words SCOOP IT!!!

Activity Once the clip/excerpt is over, take about a minute or 2 to write down all the elements of totalitarianism that you could find. Once you are finished share some of your findings with a table partner. After, we will discuss some of our findings as a class. Be prepared to discuss. What your are looking for: A.) The various elements of a totalitarian state that we just discussed (SCOOP) B.) How the totalitarian state rose to power? What the society was like before the totalitarian regime? How did the leader say their totalitarian regime would solve the problem? C.) What society was like in the video/book? How would you personally feel to be living in that world?

V for Vendetta (2005) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKvvOFIHs4k

Click on the link V for Vendetta True story of our world today https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHC94ubuTEM

V for Vendetta https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFfROj-onjk

Equilibrium 2002 DuPont: In the first years of the 21st century, a third World War broke out. Those of us who survived knew mankind could never survive a fourth; that our own volatile natures could simply no longer be risked. So we have created a new arm of the law: The Grammaton Cleric, whose sole task it is to seek out and eradicate the true source of man's inhumanity to man - his ability to feel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFfROj-onjk

Star Wars https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqVSt0_Zmuk

Hunger Games https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tl9aqZk4kFU

Lord of the Rings https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQq4LjSF2rc

Apple Macintosh Commercial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zfqw8nhUwA

In the 1920’s and 1930’s the rise of totalitarian governments in Germany, Italy, and Spain was largely the result of The success of the Communists in establishing a command economy in the Soviet Union The Active support of the United States The severe economic and social problems in Europe after WWI Movements demanding the return of the old monarchies.

How did Totalitarian Governments come to power? By promising that they would improve the conditions of their society By gaining the support of those countries around them By having the strongest navy Only by a military coup

Closing Discussion: What did you learn Closing Discussion: What did you learn? What did you observe in these clips? What were some of the similarities that you noticed in all of the different movies? What about differences? What was society like in these clips? How did the governments and supreme leader attain their power? 4) Would you want to live in these societies? Why or Why not?

Conclusion As we look in the rise of Totalitarian Governments and the regimes of Hitler, Joseph Stalin, Mussolini, and others remember the 5 SCOOP elements of a Totalitarian State.

Homework Totalitarian High School—Your job will be to transform your high school into a totalitarian government.