Essay about Totalitarian Regimes

Submitted By anamarialasma
Words: 1212
Pages: 5
Open Document
Ana Maria Lastiri
Mrs.Rowan
Word History
2014-04-29
Totalitarian Regimes

The concept of totalitarianism is used to describe a political system, which first appeared in Russia with the Bolshevik Revolution and the denial of individual rights and liberty. The term totalitarianism describes a system where the state holds complete authority and power over society and over every aspect of citizen’s lives. This suddenly appeared after World War One; however it began developing in the past years. During the twentieth-century economic and social instability in Europe and the disasters and devastation caused by the civil war in Russia, had terrible consequences such as unemployment and impoverishment. Established democracies such as the United States and Great Britain remained strong; however, in Germany, Italy and Russia a new form of government emerged known as totalitarianism.
The Soviet Union, Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany were considered to be totalitarian states; these shared a number of similarities despite the rivalry that existed between them. Dictators who were glorified as heroes ruled these three countries; Hitler, Mussolini and Stalin came to power in their countries in a moment of social unrest. People all over Europe were suffering from hunger, and many at that time were dying, these people were looking for a ruler that would help them solve their problems and that would bring prosperity to their countries. This is where the perfect tool came into play in history, propaganda.
Propaganda became an essential branch of government during the twentieth-century as it helped to keep control over the people and win them over. Propaganda had total control over society. Books, newspapers, magazines and radio were completely influenced by the government and it decided what they wanted people to think and believe in. The state basically “manufactured thought” it made up new stories and manipulated opinions. There was no sense of the truth anymore. The power of the government over society was total. Totalitarian dictatorships extended their powers further, using their authority to completely reshape society. In their conquest to expand Russia, Italy and Germany came into conflict with the Western countries and set the stage for WWII.
The peace treaties at Versailles caused dissatisfaction among the Italian people and showed the weakness of the democratic government in Italy. Italian nationalists were angry and claimed portions of territory from the Central Powers. Unemployment struck Italy and the government was unable to solve their problems. All this events favored the rise of the Fascist leader, Benito Mussolini. Mussolini had socialist values and very radical views. In 1919 Italy was in chaos and on the verge of civil war, Mussolini formed a new political party called the Fascist party. The party believed in nationalism and the glorification of state with a single party system led by a strong ruler, unlike communism the fascists protected private property. Another factor that contributed to the rise of Mussolini and the establishment of a totalitarian state was the support of rich Italians, who feared communism. He promised to put an end to the unrest, protect private property and full employment. He wanted to restore Italy´s former greatness and bring his country the glory of ancient Rome. In 1992 after the “march on Rome” Mussolini was appointed Prime Minister by King Victor Emmanuel III and Italy became a totalitarian state under the Fascist party rule. The new prime minister rearranged the Italian government, he banned non-fascist parties and ordered his secret police the OVRA to stop, arrest and even kill any anti-fascist movement or anyone who opposed the party´s ideals. Mussolini, like any other dictator, controlled most of the population by manipulating mass media and using propaganda, he enforced totalitarianism by controlling the media to create a huge and powerful Italy with a prosperous economy.
The
Show More

Related Documents: Essay about Totalitarian Regimes

Hitler's Totalitarian Regime

January 20, 2017, it is the day that everyone was biting their nails, it is the United States presidential election date. I was in Hong Kong, drinking my morning coffee, I noticed more people are on their electronic device, more than usual. Everyone was live streaming the election, all waiting to find out who will be the president of the United States. The news of Donald John Trump becoming the 45th president of the United States shocked many people. In that cafe, on Facebook, everyone is asking…

Words 1385 - Pages 6

Examples Of Totalitarianism

Scholars try to distinguish between and identify different non-democratic political systems from the past. The 20th century ideologies (or as many scholars say political religions) used by the totalitarian regimes were chosen wisely by leaders; fascism was something new that united nations (everybody could identify with their own) and did not divide them by class like the old interest ideas (Arendt 6). On the other hand communism unified classes (manufacture and agricultural workers) to break away…

Words 1389 - Pages 6

Essay about Fascist: Fascism and Political Authority Exercises

The Fascist regime created by Hitler is a governmental system led by a dictator having complete power, forcibly suppressing opposition and criticism, controlling all industry, commerce, etc., and emphasizing an aggressive nationalism and often racism. The Totalitarian system under Stalin is an imposing a form of government in which the political authority exercises absolute and centralized control over all aspects of life, the individual is subordinated to the state, and opposing political and cultural…

Words 380 - Pages 2

Conformity Is The Process Of Creating A Society That Is Led By A Central Power Essay

idea of glorifying a totalitarian state by conforming its people to its standards is clearly defined in both 1984 and Metropolis as a dystopic vision. 1984 was written for the purpose of warning readers about the future of totalitarian states and regimes and how this use of power could disempower the civilians. In both 1984 and Metropolis, conformity is achieved by the central figures, Jon Frederson and Big Brother, to achieve uniformity in their community to gain totalitarian rule and control. In…

Words 646 - Pages 3

National Business Enviornment Essay

in power. political system and culture are very related. A coujntrys politcal system is rooted in the history and culture of its people. Such as population, age and race compostiton, and pe capita income influence a coutnrys politcal system. 2.Totalitarian governments tend to share three features. Imposed Authority which is an indivial or group forms the political system without the explict or implicit approval of the peolple.Lack Constitutuinal Guarantess is a system that deny citizens the constitutional…

Words 313 - Pages 2

Comparing Orwell's 1984 And The US

1984 by George Orwell is fictional story of a society under totalitarian regime. The hierarchy system that Oceania promotes, which the minority is the majority of the population, supports the goal of “ War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery, and Ignorance is Strength”(16) with a totalitarian regime under minority ruling the majority. The social hierarchy that Oceania supports which goes down by the Inner party to Outer party and to the Proles is similar to United States hierarchical order which the President…

Words 195 - Pages 1

Juxtaposition In 1984

From knowing to breathe and blink to desiring human contact, human instinct is one part of life that everyone can relate to. However, under totalitarian governments, human instinct is limited. These controlling governments limit freedoms and prevents aspects of human instinct from being successfully completed. Due to the extent of harsh control these governments tend to exhibit, these instinctual quirks are prevented. In George Orwell’s 1984, the depiction of a cold scene in the stereotypically lovely…

Words 805 - Pages 4

Totalitarianism: North Korea and Kim Jong Il Essay

Totalitarianism is referred to as an authoritarian form of government with complete political, legal, social and cultural power over civilians. A popular example of an extreme totalitarian regime is Hitler's regime. Germany was ruled under simultaneous authorities of power such as the civil service, the SA, the SS and the Nazi Party. The concentration camps and gas chambers were prime examples of the extremity of arbitrary power and totalitarianism put into action. North Korea is amongst the…

Words 536 - Pages 3

Comparing Orwell's Novels To A Dystopian Novel

This use of the media was of inspiration to George Orwell as 1984 was written after World War Two, as he has magnified the extremity of propaganda to it ultimate controlling form. The main role of propaganda is to maintain The Party’s absolute totalitarian regime. ‘WAR IS PEACE. FREEDOM IS SLAVERY. IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH’ and ‘Big Brother is watching you’ are clear examples of propaganda within Orwell’s novel. A critical review of the propaganda used ‘Every communication is calculated to propagate politically…

Words 1910 - Pages 8

Essay on Politcal Science Chapter 6

necessary totalitarian. 1. Caste- rigid, hereditary social class or group. 1. Civil disobediance- the nonviolent breaking of an unjust law to serve a higher law. 1. Demagogue- politician who whips up masses with extreme and misleading issues. 1. Democratic peace- theory that democracies do not fight each other. 1. Elites- the “top” or most influential people in a political system. 1. Hierarchy- organized in a ranking of power from top to bottom, as if on a ladder. 1. Illiberal democracy- regime that are…

Words 702 - Pages 3