Totalitarian Comparison
totalitarianism
a system of government in which a leader (dictator) has complete control over his country and the lives of his people
Key Traits of Totalitarianism
Dictator: strong leader with total power One party: ruling party is the only legal political party Strict government control of all aspects of life business, religion, the arts, education, etc. use of propaganda, censorship, terror, and secret police to control people Individuals have very few freedoms
Fascism
Extreme nationalism - the nation is more important than the individual Charismatic leader - big personality, good public speaker, inspires people Different social classes - rich, middle class, poor Anti-communism Anti-democracy Glorification of Military
Two types of totalitarianism
Fascism and Communism
Germany
Leader: Adolf Hitler (1933-1945) Government: Fascist Goals: Extreme German nationalism Anti-Semitism (hatred of Jewish people) Anti-communism Fix economy -Create jobs with public projects Rebuild German military Create a powerful German Empire
Italy
Leader: Benito Mussolini (1922-1943) Government: Fascist Goals: Extreme nationalism -Make Italy a powerful nation -Build Italian Empire Fix economy Restore order Support Catholic Church Anti-socialism Anti-communism
The Soviet Union
Leader: Joseph Stalin (1929-1953) Government: Communist Goals Create the perfect communist state Spread communism throughout the world Government ownership of all property Strict government control of economy -industrialize / modernize using Five Year Plans -build factories, hospitals, schools, and railroads -government control of factories and mines -collectivized farmland (took people's land and combined it into large government farms) -Imprisoned or executed anyone who opposed
Japan
Leaders: Emperor and Military Dictator - Emperor Hirohito - figurehead -Hideki Tojo - Military Leader Government: Military Dictatorship Goals Rid Japan of European and American influences Strengthen military Build a powerful Japanese Empire -gain raw materials for industry
Communism
No social classes or private property Global communism - calls for all nations to be united under communism Anti-religion Anti-democracy Glorification of Military
Why did they come to power
People wanted strong leaders to get them out of the Great Depression Nationalism—they promised to make their countries big and powerful
What did the leaders want
Total control over country and people Strong military and economy More land—they were willing to go to war for it!
Fascist Aggression
Totalitarian nations began invading other nations in efforts to add to their empires: - Japan invaded Manchuria (Region of China) - Germany invaded Austria and Czechoslovakia - Italy invaded Ethiopia and Albania The League of Nations failed to stop them Democratic nations such as Great Britain, France, and the United States were alarmed by these actions but did little to stop them
