Slide 1

Foundations of Totalitarianism

Slide 2

Totalitarianism

• Form of government that theoretically permits no individual freedom and seeks to subordinate all aspects of an individual's life to the authority of the government

• Mussolini coined the term “totalitario”• "All within the state, none outside the

state, none against the state."

Slide 3

TheState

I I I I I

Fascist Model

State =eternal,lasting

State casts aside all who do not serve its purpose

Individual =temporary, expendable

Individual exists toserve the State (a tool)

PowerHere

Slide 4

TheState

I I I I I

Democratic ModelPowerHere

Individualis mostimportant

State serves the individual and may be replaced as expendable if it violates personal right to life, liberty, property

Slide 5

Influences of WWI

• Russia– Tremendous human

losses, land devastated

– To exit war early, Russia gave Germany vast amount of land

– Did not participate in peace process, land given to Germany mostly granted independence

Slide 6

Influences of WWI

• Italy– Gained very little in

proportion to losses– only a small portion of Austria-Hungary

– Remember Italy switched sides because it thought it could gain more land by aligning with the Allied Powers

Slide 7

Influences of WWI

• Germany– War guilt clause– Demilitarization– Severe reparations

Slide 8

Influences of WWI

• The “Total War” ideology behind WWI led to the idea that individuals must make sacrifices and strict government control is necessary for victory

Slide 9

Why Europe in the 1920’s and 1930’s?

• Countries had no tradition of self-government before WWI – the new self-government was forced upon nations not ready for it

• 1930’s saw a world wide depression, making struggling democracies face more problems

Slide 10

Characteristics of Totalitarian Regimes

• Support does not come instantaneously – gradually increases with use of modern communication and transportation

• A "permanent revolution" occurring – nation is always pursuing a special goal

Slide 11

Characteristics of Totalitarian Regimes

• Replaces all political institutions with new ones and erases all legal, social, and political traditions.

• Directed violence controlled by the government becomes an important tool

Slide 12

Characteristics of Totalitarian Regimes

• Police not limited by laws

• Leaders are unpredictable, never allowing the people to feel completely safe

• New media technology used to spread propaganda

Slide 13

Characteristics of Totalitarian Regimes

• Nationalistic tendencies

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Slide 14

Characteristics of Totalitarian Regimes

• Mystical and Sensual

Slide 15

Characteristics of Totalitarian Regimes

• Military State

Slide 16

Characteristics of Totalitarian Regimes

• Military State

Slide 17

Characteristics of Totalitarian Regimes

• Exalt Youth

Slide 18

Characteristics of Totalitarian Regimes

• Charismatic Leaders

Slide 19

Left vs Right TotalitarianismLeft Wing - Communism Right Wing –

Fascism/Nazism

Power Base Power comes from workers wishing to eliminate class structures – redistributing power to the working class

Power comes from upper and middle classes who wish to keep/increase personal status

Industry • Collective and/or governmental ownership of industry

• Government still supports capitalism and private ownership of industry – as long as business goals are in line with nation goals

Slide 20

Left vs Right TotalitarianismLeft Wing - Communism Right Wing –

Fascism/Nazism

Location Countries with limited development / industrialization

Industrialized nations with a substantial middle class

Type of Change

Violent overthrow of previous regimeOld institutions replaced with a completely new system of government

Not as violent, usually relies upon existing upper and middle classes for supportPrevious institutions kept, but altered to fit new needs