1. Chapter 14 Section 2 Totalitarianism Case Study: Stalinist Russia
Objective: Explain totalitarianism, the building of a totalitarian state in Russia, & the economic system under Stalin
Vocabulary: Totalitarianism, Great Purge, Command Economy, Five- Year Plan, & Collective Farm

2. Setting the Stage
Stalin dramatically transformed the government of the Soviet Union
Stalin was determined that the Soviet Union become both politically & economically one of the most powerful nations in the world
He controlled not only the government but many aspects of citizens’ private lives
Remember Lenin viewed Stalin as dangerous

3. A Government of Total Control
Totalitarianism – a government control over every aspect of public & private life
The leaders crush opposition & create a sense of fear among the people
No one is exempt from suspicion or accusations that he or she is an enemy of the state
Totalitarianism challenges reason, freedom, human dignity, & the worth of the individual
Mass communication made it possible to reach into all aspects of citizens’ life

4. Check for Understanding
If you were to be a totalitarian leader, what methods of control & persuasion would you use to keep control?
Sentence starter: I would use _______ to keep control because _________.

5. A Government of Total Control
Stalin used terror, indoctrination, propaganda, censorship, & religious/ethnic persecution to gain total control
The police spied on citizens & intimidated them; sometimes using brutal force
Indoctrination is implemented at young age to make sure citizens have unconditional loyalty & support
Totalitarian states spread propaganda & had complete control of all mass media
Mold people’s mind
Control of education is absolutely essential to glorify the leader & his policies & to convince all citizens that their unconditional loyalty & support are required
“Enemies of the state” blame other races or religions when anything goes wrong

6. Stalin Builds a Totalitarian State
Stalin began building his totalitarian state by destroying his enemies
Stalin’s secret police monitored telephone lines, read mail, & planted informers everywhere
In 1937, Stalin launched the Great Purge, a campaign of terror directed at eliminating anyone who threatened his power
An estimated 8 to 13 million were killed as a result of the Great Purge
Children even told authorities about disloyal remarks they heard at home
“Crimes against the Soviet state”

7. Russian Propaganda & Censorship
Stalin’s government controlled all newspapers, motion pictures, radio, & other sources of information
He would not tolerate creativity that did not conform to the views of the state
The government controlled all education systems, including college
School stressed the importance of sacrifice & hard work to build the Communist state
Stalin attacked religion mainly the Russian Orthodox Church
Used propaganda to make the soviet look strong
College professors & students who questioned the Communist Party risked losing their jobs or faced imprisonment
Religious leaders were killed or sent to labor camps

8. Check for Understanding
Why would it be important to control media & education when ruling as a dictator?
Sentence Starter: It is important to control media & education as a dictator because __________.

9. Stalin Seizes Control of the Economy
Stalin’s called for a command economy, a system in which the government made all economic decisions
Political leaders identify the country’s economic needs & determine how to fulfill them
Stalin outlines the first of several Five-Year Plans for the development of the Soviet Union’s economy
However, their high quotas set the citizens up for failure
The government limited the production of consumer goods & people faced shortages of housing, food, clothing, & other necessary goods

10. An Agricultural Revolution
In 1928, the government began to seize over 25 million privately owned farms in the USSR
Stalin created collective farms, where hundreds of families worked together producing food for the state
5 to 10 million peasants died as a direct result of Stalin’s agricultural revolution
Peasants killed livestock & destroyed crops in protests to the take over

11. Daily Life Under Stalin
Stalin totalitarian rule revolutionized Soviet society
Soviet citizens lives improved but at a cost to their personal freedoms
Women were given new educational opportunities
By 1950, 75% of Soviet doctors were women
Soviet women were expected to work full-time jobs, have kids, & clean the house
Provide the state with future generations of loyal, obedient citizens

12. Total Control Achieved
Stalin had forcibly transformed the Soviet Union into a totalitarian regime & an industrial & political power
He ushered in a period of total social control & rule by terror, rather than constitutional government