1. HISTORY OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION:
1648 TO PRESENT
MEETING 23:
WHAT IS TOTALITARIANISM?

2. Definition of Totalitarianism
First popularized by the Italian dictator, Benito
Mussolini, this term is derived from the Italian
totalitarismo. It indicates a totality of control by the
state. This implies a relationship in which the state
through its instruments dominates society. Hence in
the totalitarian state all political, economic, social,
cultural and intellectual activities should be directed
towards fulfilling the aims of the state.
Totalitarianism. (1999). In The Blackwell Dictionary of Political Science. Oxford: Blackwell Publishers.
Retrieved November 14, 2008, from http://www.credoreference.com/entry/725883/.

3. I. Soviet Union
A. The Bolsheviks and Lenin
B. Joseph Stalin
1. Economic Plans of the 1930s
a. Agriculture: Collectivization
b. Industry: Growth and infrastructure
2. Totalitarianism
a. Secret Police
b. Gulags
c. Great Purges
C. Europe and the “Red Scare”

4. Palmer Raids (1919-20)
• Attorney general A. Mitchell Palmer uses the fear of
communists and radicals to arrest thousands of
immigrants (both citizen and non-citizen)
Francis Fisher Kane, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
criticized the raids:
"It seems to me that the policy of raids against large numbers of individuals is
generally unwise and very apt to result in injustice. People not really guilty are likely
to be arrested and railroaded through their hearings....We appear to be attempting
to repress a political party....By such methods we drive underground and make
dangerous what was not dangerous before.” (New York Times: "Palmer Upholds
Red Repression," January 24, 1920)
Palmer responded in The Washington Post: "There is no time to waste on
hairsplitting over infringement of liberties." (Washington Post, "The Red Assassins,"
January 4, 1920)

5. Five Socialist Assemblymen Suspended by the New York State Legislature. Source: George
Matthew Adams Service. January 24, 1920
5 New York State Assembly Members suspended and
dismissed from their seats in a 140 to 6 vote in 1920.

6. I. Soviet Union
II. Italy
A. Postwar Discontent and Benito
Mussolini
1. Black Shirts
2. “March on Rome” (1922)
3. Seizure of Power (1924)
4. Principles of Fascism
Portrait of Benito Mussolini. 24 May 1923. Original caption: Photo shows Benito Mussolini,
acclaimed as the "Theodore Roosevelt" of Italy, caught by the camera in a rather picturesque pose in
Rome, during the recent visit of the British Royal Family. © Bettmann/CORBIS

7. What is Fascism? (1932)
“Fascism, the more it considers and observes
the future and the development of humanity
quite apart from political considerations of the
moment, believes neither in the possibility nor
the utility of perpetual peace. It thus
repudiates the doctrine of Pacifism . . . . The
foundation of Fascism is the conception of
the State, its character, its duty, and its aim.
Fascism conceives of the State as an
absolute, in comparison with which all
individuals or groups are relative, only to be
conceived of in their relation to the State . . . .
The Fascist State organizes the nation, but
leaves a sufficient margin of liberty to the
individual; the latter is deprived of all useless
and possibly harmful freedom, but retains
what is essential; the deciding power in this
question cannot be the individual, but the
State alone . . . . For Fascism, the growth of
empire, that is to say the expansion of the
nation, is an essential manifestation of
vitality.”
Benito Mussolini. 1934. photograph. © Hulton-
Deutsch Collection/CORBIS

8. I. Soviet Union
II. Italy
A. Postwar Discontent and Benito Mussolini
1. Black Shirts
2. Principles of Fascism
A. Imperialism and Ethiopia
(1935-36)
1. Haile Selassie
2. “The Roman
legionnaires
are again on the
march.”
Haile Selassie at League of Nations (Geneva, Switzerland) in 1936.

9. I. Soviet Union
II. Italy
III. Germany
A. Instability in Weimar and Political Parties
Social Democrats
(SPD)
Communists (KPD)
German National
People’s Party
(DNVP)
National
Socialists/Nazis
(NSDAP)
Catholic Center
Party (Zentrum)

10. I. Soviet Union
II. Italy
III. Germany
A. Instability in Weimar and Political Parties
B. Cultural Critics on the Right
1. Nationalism
2. Traditionalism
3. Anti-communism

11. I. Soviet Union
II. Italy
III. Germany
A. Instability in Weimar
and Political Parties
B. Cultural Critics on the
Right
C. Hitler’s Rise to Power
1. WWI experience
2. Beer Hall Putsch and Mein Kampf (1923)
3. Nazi Ideology: volk, nationalism, anticommunism,
antisemitism, militarism, lebensraum, “stab in the
back”
Adolf Hitler at a rally in the Munich Odeonsplatz to celebrate the
declaration of war in 1914. (August 2, 1914)

12. I. Soviet Union
II. Italy
III. Germany
IV. The Great Depression
A. Stock Market Speculation
1. Buying stock “on margin” (on credit)
2. Stock market crash bankrupts investors
A. Financial Panic
1. Withdraw savings from banks
2. Recall of private short term loans
A. Mass Unemployment

16. Why was Hitler Elected?
http://vimeo.com/4861637

17. I. Soviet Union
II. Italy
III. Germany
IV. The Great Depression
V. Nazi Propaganda
A. Instability in Weimar and Political Parties
B. Cultural Critics on the Right
C. Hitler’s Rise to Power
D. The Nazi Cultural Program

18. Deutsche Volksempfänger (The People’s Receiver)
Propaganda Poster encouraging the use of the
Volksempfänger (1936)

19. Albert Speer. Zeppelin Field, Nuremberg, Bavaria, Germany.
1934-7. photograph, ca. 1938. Stadtarchiv Nuremberg
Pergamon Altar. 2nd
century BCE. Pergamon Museum, Berlin.

20. The Autobahn
Hitler and Ferdinand Porsche look at the Volkswagon in 1936.
From Karlsruhe (November 1938)

21. Jugend dient dem Führer [Youth Serves the Fuhrer]. 1939. 85.6 x 58.9 cm. Deutsches Historisches Museum,
Berlin. P 63/809 and 1990/534

22. Hubert Lanzinger. Der Bannerträger. [The Flag Bearer]. 1938.
German War Art Collection, U.S. Army Center of Military History,
Army Art Collection, Washington, D.C.

23. Nazi Toy Soldiers. Ca 1930s. <http://www.museumofworldwarii.com/TourText/Area02_RiseofNazism.htm>

24. Swastika Light Bulb. Ca 1930s.
<http://www.museumofworldwarii.com/TourText/Area02_RiseofNazism.htm>

25. Film: Triumph of the Will (1934) by Leni Riefenstahl

26. I. Soviet Union
II. Italy
III. Germany
IV. The Great Depression
V. Nazi Propaganda
VI. A Case Study in Historical Searching