Summary of the ways that Stalin's regime was a totalitarian government: A totalitarian government is when an individual, normally a dictator, abuses their power as leader of the nation and limits what happens in their nation including what citizens do. Stalin wanted to be a really strong nation so when Lenin died in 1924 Stalin seized power and created a totalitarian government.
Essential Question: In what ways was Stalin's regime a totalitarian government? Answer: Stalin's regime was a totalitarian government in many ways. One way Stalin's regime was a totalitarian government was that he created a secret police that would go around eliminating his enemies. The job of the secret police is to eliminate anyone who speaks against Stalin, you could be a normal citizen or one of Stalin's closest friends and the secret police could target you. Another way that Stalin's regime was a totalitarian government is that he used propaganda. Propaganda is when someone puts information out there that is supposed to sway the population into thinking a certain way which could be found in movies, newspapers, and radios. Finally, Stalin's regime was a totalitarian government because he used censorship which is when you only allow certain information to be released. In this case Stalin only allowed information/news that portrayed him in a positive light.
Caption: Stalin is holding up a baby with a Russian flag (BECKY).
Caption: Lenin was the person in charge of Russia, then he died and Stalin took over (UPI).
Caption: This is a picture of all of the people that contributed to the creation of communism (UPI).
Primary source document: "Death solves all problems - no man, no problem" (Stalin).
Summary of Fascism in Italy: When World War 1 ended Italy was not allowed to be part of the Paris Peace Conference so they did not get any land . The World War left Italy in economic trouble as unemployment rates were at an all time high and the democratic government that was in place did nothing to fix the problem. Because the democratic was not doing anything to fix their problems, the citizens of Italy started to rally behind a new leader of the name of Benito Mussolini. This man said that he would fix the unemployment in Italy by rebuilding its economy. He also founded the Fascist party in Italy, the party stress the fact of being committed and loyal to a single leader and only them. This party supported by the middle class.
Summary of Fascism in Germany: In Germany, they had a Nazi Fascist party who was lead by Adolf Hitler. Hitler believed that the Aryan race was the master race and everyone else that didn't have the characteristics of an Aryan was inferior. Some groups of people that were inferior in Hitler eyes were Jews, Gypsies, Homosexuals, etc.
Essential Question: What are the main elements of fascism, and how were they expressed in Germany and Italy? Answer: There are three main elements of fascism. The first main element of fascism is that the nation has only on political party which is the fascist party. The second main element of fascism is that they believe that they are superior race and that everyone that isn't like them is inferior. Lastly, the third main element of fascism is that defending the political party is more important than the individual. Germany expressed fascism by Hitler taking power and he emphasized the importance of getting rid of the non Aryans from Germany, which stress the fact that they were the superior race. Italy expressed fascism by making fascism the only political party in Italy once he got to power. He didn't want anyone to have the chance to take his place as the leader of Italy so whoever wanted to run would have to be in the fascist political party, but by then he would know that they are running and deal with them.
Caption: Mussolini is walking around to see how fascism is spreading in Italy (GETTY).
Caption: When Mussolini was in power, boys at a young age could be part of the Italian army (UPI).
Caption: These were the two fascist leaders, Hitler who was the leader of Germany and Mussolini who was the leader of Italy (UPI).
Primary Source Document: "I forbid you to publish anything I have told you. I have treated you as a friend not as a journalist-I have spoken openly-said too much. If you ever write anything about me I shall know it. I have agents all over the world and you will suffer. There is not a country where my Fascist police cannot penetrate" (An interview between Mussolini and Clare Sheridan).