Totalitarianism, Fascism, and Communism

Mark Manbeck

Essential Question

What are the major similarities

and differences between

Totalitarianism, Fascism, and

Communism?

Totalitarianism

Totalitarianism—government

that dominates every aspect

of life

A government of Total Control

Totalitarian leader is often

dynamic and persuasive

Energetic, active, forceful

Cult of Personality *Later

Police State

Government uses police to spy

on and intimidate people

Normally to protect citizens

Police enforce the central

government’s policies

Education

Slanted education

Crucial to glorify leader and

policies

Propaganda

Propaganda and Censorship

Spread of Propaganda

Government controls all mass

media

Crushes opposing views

Scapegoats Usually, religious or ethnic

minorities are “enemies of the state”

Totalitarian Leaders in the 20th Century

Adolf Hitler (Germany) 1933-1945

Benito Mussolini (Italy) 1925-1943

Joseph Stalin (Soviet Union) 1929-1953

Kim Il Sung (North Korea) 1948-1994

Saddam Hussein (Iraq) 1979-2003

Communism

Russia

Class Struggle

Revolution is the only way

All property is publicly owned

NO Private Property

Traditional Communism Refresher

Karl Marx

Bourgeoisie:

New, Industrial Elite

Proletariat:

Workers

Bourgeoisie had political and economic

power

Workers had the true power

Stalin (More Next Time)

Stalin aims to create Communist

state in Russia.

He began by destroying his

enemies—real and imagined.

Education

Government controls all education,

from early grades to college.

Children learn the virtues of the

Communist Party.

Teachers and students who challenge

the Party are punished.

Religious Persecution

Government attacks the Russian

Orthodox Church.

Magnificent churches and

synagogues are destroyed.

Religious leaders are killed.

People lose all personal rights and

freedoms.

Totalitarianism vs Communism

State is all-powerful

State makes decisions

More Right Wing

State Ownership

Communist Party is all-

powerfulCommunist Party makes decision

More Left Wing

Common Ownership

CommunismTotalitarianism

Fascism Started in Italy, transferred to Germany

Fascism glorified action, violence, discipline,

and blind loyalty to the state.

Pursued territorial expansion through

warfare.

Distrusted reason and used emotion to their

advantage.

Nazism is a form of Fascism

"Italy wants peace and quiet,

work and calm. I will give

these things with love if

possible and with force if

necessary." Benito Mussolini

Police State

Obsession with Security

Fear is motivation of Government over

population

Military Supremacy

Education

Disdain for Intellectuals

and Arts

Boys taught to be soldiers

Girls to be good mothers

Propaganda and Censorship

Powerful and Continuing Nationalism Censoring enemies

Religion and Ethnicity Identification of

Enemies/Scapegoats

Unifies the people

Religion and Government

are Intertwined

National Purity

Racial Purity

Fascism vs Totalitarianism

Individual Governs state

State makes decisions

Type of Government

State Governed by Single Political Party

Communication controlled by state

Dictatorship

Totalitarianism Fascism

• The two are not mutually exclusive• A fascist state is often ruled by a totalitarian leader• Totalitarian state does not necessarily have to be fascist