The Rise of Totalitarianism
I. Totalitarianism Definition: one-party dictatorship that regulates every aspect of citizens’ lives; everything is subordinated totally to the state vs. dictatorship, authoritarianism, autocracy, absolutism
I. Totalitarianism Characteristics: Forced to live by ruler’s beliefs Demands total mass conformity 1 political party only Propaganda Technology Secret police / terror Censorship State-controlled economy Strong military Leader tries to convince people he is democratic or has democratic support Youth, professional, cultural, sports groups
I. Totalitarianism “left” vs. “right” Left Right Communism Collective ownership of wealth Arise in undeveloped countries Working class support Ex.: USSR under Stalin, China under Mao Right Fascism & Nazism Private ownership of wealth Arise in developed countries Middle class support Ex.: Germany under Hitler, Italy under Mussolini
II. Fascism Debate over definition Political doctrine vs. action When it arose 1 or more? Right or left? (1920 shift) Political doctrine vs. action Definition (as best as it can be): Anti- … socialist, communist, radical, democratic, republican, feminism, liberal, conservative Pro- … new nationalist authoritarian state, volunteerism Organization: mass party militia; use of violence Youth movement Technology Not necessarily racist
III. Nazism Germany / Hitler Fascism + racism/anti-Semitism
IV. Communism USSR / Stalin Theory vs. practice