Transcript Chapter 29 Part 1

Totalitarianism
1920-1940
Chapter 29-1
Totalitarianism vs. Conservative
Authoritarianism (Absolutism)
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Conservative Authoritarianism (absolutism) was
the traditional European form of antidemocratic government
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Examples: Louis XIV, Peter the Great,
Frederick the Great, Catherine the Great,
Metternich
Conservative Authoritarianism
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Tried to prevent changes that threatened the
existing social order
Most people tended to be more concerned with
local affairs that had a real impact on their lives
Popular participation in government was
discouraged
This is a contrast with Totalitarianism: Hitler
Youth, Stalin’s 5-Year Plans
Conservative Authoritarianism
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In a Totalitarianism regime people were
expected to participate enthusiastically
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Conservative Authoritarianism was limited in its
power and objectives so usually sought the
status quo: lacked the technology necessary to
control all aspects of people’s lives
Usually limited their demands to taxes, army
recruits and passive acceptance of the regime
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After WWI
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Conservative Authoritarianism was revived
Especially in Less-developed Eastern Europe,
Spain, Portugal
The New Czech Republic remained democratic
The Depression saw the end of various levels of
democracy in Austria, Bulgaria, Romania.
Greece, Estonia, Latvia
Totalitarianism
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Was made possible by new technology: radio,
automobile, telephone
Government could wiretap phone lines and spy
on citizens
Improved transport and communication allowed
regimes to coordinate with local officials
Autos and trucks gave regimes new mobility
Radio was used as tool for propaganda
Tools of Totalitarianism:
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Censorship: No freedom of the press. It
became an organ of the government
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Indoctrination: education was geared to create
loyalty to the state while demonizing the nation’s
enemies
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Terror: Failure to comply = serious
consequences: imprisonment, death
Totalitarian Regimes
either
Fascist
Glorified the state
or
Condemns democracy
Supports capitalism if
it serves the needs of
the state
Communist
Dictatorship of the
proletariat; a classless
society
Condemns Capitalism
No private property
Fascism
vs.
Communism
Corporate State:
Captains of Industry
become state
economic deputies
Economy is centralized
under the communist
party
Aggressive nationalism
Spread of communism
for the benefit of the
world’s working class
(Comintern)
Fascism
vs.
Advocates Social Darwinism
(stronger states should
Control weaker states)
Believes that peace shows
Weakness of the government
Communism
Condemns
imperialism:
Workers united in
world without
nationalism
Peace is the
Goal
Fascism
vs.
Communism
Military service is
glorified
Violent revolution is
the means to the end
Emphasizes inequalities
among humans
Emphasizes the
perfectibility of
society: Mankind is
basically good
The USSR under Lenin
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Marxist-Leninist Philosophy:
Theory of Imperialism: Imperialism is the
highest form of capitalism as the search for new
markets and raw materials feeds the
bourgeoisie’s hunger for more profits
Conquered people are ruthlessly exploited
Leninist Philosophy
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Marx did not envision a totalitarian dictatorship
ruled from above
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Lenin envisioned a new type of party: a cadre
of educated professional revolutionaries to
develop a political class consciousness and guide
the Dictatorship of the Proletariat
Lenin and Marx
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Both sought a world-wide communist
movement
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1919 a Comintern was created (aka The Third
International) to serve as the first step of the
International movement: Workers of the world
Unite!
War Communism
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The purpose was to win the Russian Civil War
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Nationalized (socialized) the means of
production and central planning of the economy
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In the end the Bolsheviks destroyed the
economy: mass starvation, decrease in industrial
output
War Communism Continued
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The Cheka (secret police) liquidated about
250,000 opponents
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1921 Kronstadt Rebellion: Mutiny by
previously pro-Bolshevik sailors at the
Kronstadt naval base
Was crushed but caused by the economic
disaster and social upheaval of the civil war
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1921-1928 The NEP
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The New Economic Policy attempted to
eliminate the harsher aspects of war
communism
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It was a response to economic ruin, peasant
revolts, and military mutiny
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It allowed for some capitalist measures
Called a necessary step backward by Lenin
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NEP
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Government would no longer seize surplus
grain
Peasants could sell it on the open market
Small manufacturers could run their own
businesses
Government still controlled heavy industry,
banks, and railroads
Results of the NEP: Some economic
improvement
Results of the NEP
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Economy back to pre-war levels
Workers enjoyed shorter hours and better
working conditions
Temporary relaxation of censorship and terror
1923 Russia was renamed the Soviet
Union…..The Union of Soviet Socialist
Republics….USSR
Lenin died in 1924
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He had not chosen a successor
Stalin: a realist
Believed in “Socialism in one country”
Wait until Russia was strong…THEN an
international communist movement
Wanted to establish a socialist economy without
the aid of the West
Trotsky
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Also wanted control
Was more of a Marxist
Believed in the continuation of a world
communist revolution
Party leaders believed Trotsky was too much of
an idealist and supported Stalin
Stalin gained control by 1927
Trotsky was exiled and assassinated (1940
Mexico) by Stalin’s agents
The Soviet Union Under Stalin
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Lenin’s Politburo was purged
Lenin’s NEP was scrapped
1928 The First 5-Year Plan
Objectives:
Increase industrial output by 250%
 Increase steel production by 300%
 Increase agricultural output by 150%
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The First 5-Year Plan’s Results
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Steel Production up 400%
USSR the 2nd largest steel producer in Europe
Oil production up 300%
Massive urbanization
25 million moved to the cities
BUT standard of living did not improve
AND quality of goods was substandard
Stalin
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Said, “We are 50 or 100 years behind the
advanced countries. We must make good this
distance in 10 years. Either we do it or we shall
go under.”
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Under 1st 5-Year Plan 20% of peasants were
scheduled to give up their private plots and join
collective farms.
Collectivization
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Purpose:
To bring the peasants under direct control of
the state
Machinery was used in agriculture to provide
more workers for industry
Government control over production
Extend socialism to the countryside
Collectivization
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continued
Individual peasant farms were consolidated into
large, state-controlled farms
Farmers were paid according to the amount of
work they did
A portion of the harvest was taken by the
government to feed urban workers
Farmers had to meet grain quotas before they
could feed themselves
Results of Collectivization
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Much opposition by the farmers
The Kulaks (wealthiest peasants) put up the
greatest opposition
Stalin ordered them liquidated…they were
10 million died as a result of collectivization
7 million in forced starvation in the Ukraine
Agricultural output: no improvement over 1913
1933: 60% on collectives, 1938 was 93%
Government Structure under Stalin
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General Secretary was the highest position in
government. This was Stalin’s title
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Politburo about 12 members. Discussed policy
and personnel
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Central Committee: about 70 people in the 30’s
Stalin’s propaganda campaign
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Purpose: To glorify work and encourage
productivity
Used technology for propaganda:
Newspapers (The Pravda)
Radio broadcasts
Films (Sergi Eisenstein)
All emphasized Soviet achievements and
capitalist plots
Stalin’s propaganda campaign
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Writers and artists were expected to glorify
Stalin and the state
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Their work was closely monitored
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Religions were persecuted
Stalin hoped to turn churches into “museums of
atheism”
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Benefits for Workers
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Old age pensions
Free medical services
Free education
Free day care for children
Education was the key to the way up
Mainly specialized skills and technological education
Disillusioned Westerners were attracted to USSR
Women
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Women were given complete equality with the
revolution
In 1920’s divorce and abortion readily available
The state encouraged women to work outside of
the home and to “liberate” themselves
Rapid change led to broken families
Men still got the best jobs
Women still stuck with household duties
The Great Terror 1934-1938
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Terror was used on peasants, leading
communists, & ordinary people often for no
apparent reason
The “Great Terror” resulted in 8 million arrests
“Show Trials” usually of ex-party members to
eradicate “enemies of the people”
Late 1930’s the Old Bolsheviks (followers of
Lenin) were tried and executed
Purges
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40,000 army officers were expelled or liquidated
This hurt Russia badly in WWII
Millions were killed or disappeared or sent to
forced labor camps called Gulags