Totalitarianism Chart – Between the Wars

Definition: Totalitarianism is when dictators control all aspects of the government & lives of the
citizens.

Kinds of governments that became totalitarian after WWI:

● Fascism = Italy

● Nazism = The people were a government party who ended up controlling

the government in Germany.

● Communism = This type of government became famous in Russia During WW2.

● Military Dictatorship = This type of government became famous in Japan During WW2.

Why totalitarian governments were able to take control of Europe after WWI:
1. Promising simple solutions to their nation’s problems.

2. Rebuilding national pride (often using propaganda).

3. Providing scapegoats (targets for anger & blame).

4. Absorbing power, taking away individual rights, and crushing opposition (1 party; 1 ruler)

Totalitarian leaders appear to provide a sense of security and to give a direction for the
future.

See also chart on p. 776

Italy Germany Soviet Union Japan
Leader (Name) Benito Adolf Hitler Joseph Stalin Hideki Tojo
Mussolini
Type of Govt Fascism Nazism Communism Military
(above) Dictatorship
What was their His goal was to His goal was to His goal was to His goal was to
goal? rebuild the rebuild Germany. implement the be #1 in Asia.
ancient Holy Five Year Plans &
Roman Empire. collective farms
to improve the
Soviet Union’s
industrial &
agricultural
output.
Strong Military? No. Yes. Yes. Yes.
(yes or no)
Secret Police? Yes. They were Yes. They were Yes. They were Yes. They were
 What were they called the called the called the Great called the
called (if they Blackshirts. Gestapo. Purge. Kempeitai.
had one)?
How did they use He used He used He used He used
Nationalism to Nationalism to Nationalism to Nationalism to Nationalism to
gain power? gain power by gain power by gain power when gain power
wishing to wanting to rebuild Soviet Union because he
rebuild the Germany, he nationalism was believed strongly
ancient Holy preached briefly revived in Japanese
Roman Empire. Vengeance through the expansionism
against (4 hates) policies of and
such as Joseph Stalin unapologetically
Democracies (a during and after seizing land from
weak & the Second World China and
undisciplined War. maintaining
form of gov’t), control over
Communism (a Korea.
threat to Nazi
growth),
November
criminals who
signed the WW1
Armistice and
Jews (the source
of all evil &
problems in
Germany).
Is the leader No. Yes. No. No.
glorified by the
people in the
country? (Yes or
no)
How is Propaganda is Propaganda is Propaganda is Propaganda was
propaganda used as a used as a crucial used as the used as designed
used? crucial instrument for practice of state- to assist the
instrument for acquiring and directed regime in
acquiring and maintaining communication governing during
maintaining power, and for aimed at WWII. It
power and the the promoting class emphasized the
implementation implementation of conflict, ethnic, cultural,
of Fascist Nazi policies. internationalism, political, and
policies. the goals of the economic
Communist Party relationships
of the Soviet between the
Union, and the people of Asia
party itself. and characterized
 Western powers
as exploiting
imperialists.
Is there No. Yes. Yes. No.
censorship?
Is there Equality? No. No. Yes. No.
Private Industry? No. No. Yes. No.
Aggressive Yes Yes Yes Yes
Foreign Policy?
Anti? (What are They are against losing their power They were against joining alliances
they against) and defeat. They are also against with the Western powers. They were
surrendering to the Western powers also against surrendering like the
as they are very stubborn in Germans and Italians as they would
fighting. lose their status as a global power
and would let down their people.
League of Yes Yes No Yes
Nations (did they
join)?

Compare and Contrast – Totalitarian Leaders

What are some common characteristics of all the leaders?

Some common characteristics of all the leaders are they gained support by
promising jobs, promoting nationalism, & using propaganda. They held onto their
power by using censorship, secret police, denying liberties, & eliminating opposing
rivals or political parties.

What are some clear differences?

Some clear differences are not all totalitarian dictators were Communists. In Italy,
Germany and Japan, people turned to an extremely nationalist gov’t called fascism.
Unlike Communists, fascists believed people could keep their property.