LIFE IN A TOTALITARIA
N STATESection 3------By: Gina
Pike
AN “IRON AGE” OF TOTALITARIAN CONTROL
Stalin turned the Soviet Union in a
totalitarian state.
A Totalitarianism State: a
government in which a one party
dictatorship regulated every aspect of its
citizens’ life.
Stalin’s Communist party used secret
police, censorship, and terror to enforce.
PROPAGANDACitizens were bombarded with propaganda through
various ways including newspapers, radios, etc.
Propaganda suggested extreme nationalism
People who supported Stalin= treated as heroes
WAR ON RELIGION
Atheism became official policy of the
state
Earlier, Communists had targeted the
Russian Orthodox Church, which had
strongly supported czars.
Many religious properties and
figures/leaders were seized
Roman Catholics and the Jewish were
targeted as well
Islam was also discouraged although
faced fewer restrictions
CHANGED IN SOVIET SOCIETY
Destroyed old order including the social
order
A few elite groups emerged
Communist party= top of society, only a
small number of people were allowed to
join the party
The Soviet Elite: industrial managers,
military leaders, scientists, and some
artists and writers…these people enjoyed
many benefits
Benefits Free education was offered to allFree medical carDay care for childrenInexpensive housing Public transportation and recreation
SOCIAL BENEFITS AND DRAWBACKS
Drawbacks Standard of
living was low Many people
migrated to different cities
Housing was scarce
Meat, fresh food, etc. was in short supply
Education
Many schools were built
Schools taught Communist
ideas
Formed many sports
programs, cultural activities,
etc.
MORE CHANGES …Women… Were granted equality
under the law Gained access to
education By 1930s many women
were working in medicine, engineering, or science fields
Artists and writers
were forced to adopt a
style called socialist
reform .
Socialist reform: “…
goal was to boost
socialism by showing the
Soviet life in a positive
light”
THE ARTS AND THE STATE
Government controlled
everything including
what books were
published, what music
was played and heard,
etc.
Some writers, artist,
and composers faced
persecution.
Strict censorship
Massive propaganda
Terror…
These were all tools
Stalin used to modernize
the Soviet Union and
ensure his personal
power.
LOOKING AHEAD…
The Soviet Union
became one of the
worlds military leaders.
World leader in heavy
industry, steel, and oil
production.