Week 3- Chapter 30 Flashcards
New Deal
The New Deal was a series of programs and reforms launched by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1930s to combat the Great Depression. It aimed to provide immediate relief to the unemployed, promote economic recovery, and implement financial reforms. Key initiatives included the creation of jobs through public works projects (WPA), direct aid to the needy (FERA), and the establishment of the Social Security system. The New Deal also regulated the stock market and banking industry to prevent future crises. While it helped stabilize the economy and introduced lasting social safety nets, it faced criticism for increasing government intervention and debt. Overall, the New Deal fundamentally reshaped the role of the federal government in American society.
Lateran Agreement
The Lateran Agreement, signed in 1929 between the Kingdom of Italy and the Holy See, settled the “Roman Question” that arose with the unification of Italy. It consisted of three main components: a treaty recognizing Vatican City as an independent sovereign state under papal control, a financial settlement compensating the Holy See for territorial losses, and a concordat defining the relationship between the Catholic Church and the Italian government. This agreement established Vatican City as a separate entity, resolved longstanding disputes, and regulated Church-State relations in Italy.
fascism
Fascism is a far-right, authoritarian political ideology characterized by dictatorial power, centralized control of private enterprise, repression of opposition, and strong regimentation of society and the economy. It often involves extreme nationalism, glorification of the state, and the use of propaganda and censorship to maintain control. Fascist movements typically reject democracy, liberalism, and Marxism, and they promote a totalitarian system in which the government exerts complete control over many aspects of life, often through violence and the suppression of dissent.
Popular Front
The Popular Front refers to a broad coalition of leftist and center-left political parties, organizations, and movements that come together to oppose authoritarian or right-wing regimes. The concept gained prominence particularly in the 1930s, during a period of rising fascism and authoritarianism in Europe. Popular Front governments aimed to unite various progressive forces, including socialists, communists, liberals, and sometimes even moderate conservatives, to defend democracy, civil liberties, and social justice. They often advocated for reforms such as workers’ rights, social welfare programs, and anti-fascist measures. The term gained widespread recognition through initiatives like the Popular Front government in France during the 1930s, which united left-wing parties against the growing threat of fascism. for example after the spanish civil war
totalitarianism
Totalitarianism is a political system characterized by centralized control exercised by an authoritarian government that seeks to regulate and control all aspects of public and private life. In a totalitarian state, the ruling party or leader typically maintains absolute power, often through the suppression of opposition, censorship of information, and use of propaganda to shape public opinion. Totalitarian regimes frequently control the economy, media, education, and even personal beliefs and behavior through extensive surveillance and coercion. Individual rights and freedoms are often severely restricted, with dissenters subject to punishment or persecution. Examples of totalitarian regimes include Nazi Germany under Adolf Hitler, Stalinist Soviet Union under Joseph Stalin, and North Korea under the Kim dynasty. Totalitarianism stands in stark contrast to democratic systems, which emphasize individual liberties, pluralism, and checks and balances on governmental power.
five-year plan
Launched by Stalin in 1928 and termed the “revolution from above,” its goal
was to modernize the Soviet Union and generate a Communist society with new attitudes, new loyalties, and a new socialist humanity.
New Economic Policy
The New Economic Policy (NEP) was a pivotal economic strategy introduced in Soviet Russia in 1921, representing a notable shift away from the harsh conditions of War Communism. Under the NEP, a partial return to capitalism occurred, allowing limited private enterprise in various sectors while maintaining state control over key industries. For instance, while heavy industries remained under state ownership, small-scale businesses and farmers were granted more autonomy. This approach aimed to revitalize the war-ravaged economy by incentivizing productivity and encouraging market activity. However, it also sparked debates within the Communist Party regarding the extent of economic liberalization versus socialist principles. Despite its successes in mitigating famine and stabilizing the economy, the NEP eventually gave way to Stalin’s centralized planning with the onset of rapid industrialization through the First Five-Year Plan in 1928. This transition marked a significant departure from the NEP’s mixed economy towards a more command-oriented model.
collectivization
Stalin’s forcible consolidation, beginning in 1929, of individual peasant
farms in the Soviet Union into large, state-controlled enterprises.
Black Shirts
The Blackshirts were members of the paramilitary wing of the National Fascist Party in Italy, founded by Benito Mussolini in 1919. They played a crucial role in the rise of fascism and the consolidation of Mussolini’s power in Italy during the early 20th century
Enabling Act
a key piece of legislation passed by the German Reichstag on March 23, 1933. It effectively granted Adolf Hitler’s government dictatorial powers, enabling him to enact laws without the involvement of the Reichstag or the President. This marked a significant turning point in the establishment of Nazi dictatorship in Germany.
blitzkrieg
Blitzkrieg, which translates to “lightning war” in German, is a military strategy characterized by rapid and coordinated movement of infantry, tanks, and aircraft to quickly overwhelm and defeat an opponent. Developed and employed by the German military during World War II, blitzkrieg tactics emphasized speed, surprise, and the exploitation of enemy weaknesses to achieve swift victories.
What was the nature of the new totalitarian dictatorships, and how did they differ from conservative authoritarian states and from each other?
Degree of Control: Totalitarian regimes aimed for total control over society, while conservative authoritarian states exercised more limited control and allowed greater autonomy in certain areas.
Extent of Repression: Totalitarian regimes employed systematic and extreme repression, including mass terror and purges, while conservative authoritarian states tended to exercise repression more selectively and with less intensity.
Role of Ideology: Totalitarian regimes were often based on a specific ideological vision (e.g., fascism, communism), while conservative authoritarian states were characterized more by pragmatic governance and a focus on maintaining stability and order.
Differences within each other:
ideological Differences: Totalitarian regimes could be based on different ideologies, such as fascism (e.g., Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy), communism (e.g., the Soviet Union under Stalin, Maoist China), or a cult of personality (e.g., North Korea under Kim Il-sung).
Methods of Control: Totalitarian regimes employed different methods of control and repression, depending on their ideological orientation and historical context. For example, Nazi Germany relied on racial ideology and militarism, while Stalinist Russia used state-controlled economy and mass purges.
Relationship with Society: Totalitarian regimes varied in their relationship with society, ranging from attempts to reshape society according to an ideological blueprint (e.g., Stalin’s collectivization and industrialization) to more pragmatic approaches focused on maintaining power and control (e.g., Franco’s Spain).
Individuals: Hitler not replaceable but Stalin was
How did Stalin and the Communist Party build a totalitarian order in the Soviet Union?
Political Repression
Elimination of Opposition: Stalin systematically eliminated all political opposition within the Communist Party and the broader Soviet society. This included purges, show trials, and executions of perceived enemies.
The Great Purge: From 1936 to 1938, Stalin launched the Great Purge, during which millions of people, including party members, military leaders, intellectuals, and ordinary citizens, were arrested, executed, or sent to Gulag labor camps. This created a climate of fear and eliminated potential threats to Stalin’s power.
Control of the Communist Party: Stalin consolidated power within the Communist Party by appointing loyalists to key positions and removing those who opposed him. He used the party apparatus to enforce his policies and maintain control over the state.
Economic Control
Collectivization: Stalin implemented forced collectivization of agriculture, consolidating individual peasant farms into large, state-controlled collective farms. This policy aimed to increase agricultural productivity and fund industrialization but led to widespread famine and the deaths of millions.
Five-Year Plans: Stalin introduced a series of Five-Year Plans to industrialize the Soviet economy rapidly. These plans set ambitious production targets for heavy industry, including steel, coal, and machinery, and emphasized state control over the economy.
Centralized Planning: The Soviet economy was centrally planned, with the government controlling all major economic activities, including production, distribution, and prices. This centralized control allowed the state to direct resources towards specific goals but often led to inefficiencies and shortages.
Propaganda and Ideology
Cult of Personality: Stalin cultivated a cult of personality, portraying himself as the infallible leader and father figure of the Soviet Union. State-controlled media, education, and arts were used to glorify Stalin and promote his image.
Propaganda: The Communist Party used extensive propaganda to control public opinion and promote communist ideology. This included posters, films, literature, and education that praised the achievements of the Soviet state and vilified its enemies.
Control of Information: The state controlled all media and information sources, censoring any content that was deemed counter-revolutionary or critical of the regime. This helped maintain ideological conformity and suppress dissent.
Surveillance and Terror
Secret Police: The NKVD (later the KGB) was the Soviet secret police responsible for internal security, surveillance, and enforcing Stalin’s policies. The secret police played a crucial role in suppressing dissent and instilling fear in the population.
Informant Networks: The regime established extensive networks of informants who reported on the activities and attitudes of their neighbors, colleagues, and even family members. This pervasive surveillance created a climate of mistrust and fear.
Gulag System: The Gulag labor camps were used to imprison and exploit those deemed enemies of the state. Millions of people were sent to these camps, where they endured harsh conditions and forced labor.
Control of Society
Education and Youth Organizations: The Communist Party controlled the education system, using it to indoctrinate children with communist ideology. Organizations like the Young Pioneers and Komsomol (Communist Youth League) trained young people in the principles of communism and loyalty to the party.
Suppression of Religion: The regime suppressed religious institutions and promoted atheism, seeing religion as a threat to communist ideology. Churches were closed, religious leaders were persecuted, and religious practices were discouraged.
Cultural Control: The state controlled artistic and cultural expressions, promoting socialist realism as the official artistic style. This style glorified the working class, the Soviet state, and communist ideology, while other forms of artistic expression were censored or banned.
How did Italian fascism develop?
- economic and social instability after WWI less trust in democracy
- Benito Mussolini’s Rise: Mussolini, initially a socialist journalist, broke away from the Socialist Party due to his support for Italy’s involvement in World War I. In 1919, he founded the Fasci Italiani di Combattimento (Italian Combat Groups), a paramilitary organization composed of war veterans and disillusioned nationalists.
Ideological Foundations: The early fascist movement was characterized by a mix of nationalism, militarism, anti-socialism, and a desire for strong leadership. It sought to transcend class divisions by promoting a corporatist state where different sectors of society would work together harmoniously.
Violence and Paramilitaries: Fascists used violence and intimidation to suppress socialist and communist activities. The Blackshirts (squadristi), Mussolini’s paramilitary wing, attacked leftist organizations, trade unions, and peasant leagues, gaining support from industrialists and landowners.
Why were Hitler and his Nazi regime initially so popular?
- People looked towards him after the great depression 1929-39
- Rearmament: The rearmament program significantly boosted industrial production and employment. Though in violation of the Treaty of Versailles, it was popular among many Germans who resented the treaty’s restrictions.
-Treaty of Versailles: Many Germans felt humiliated by the Treaty of Versailles, which imposed harsh reparations and territorial losses on Germany after World War I. Hitler promised to undo the treaty and restore German pride. - Nationalism: The Nazi regime promoted a strong sense of nationalism, appealing to those who longed for a return to national greatness.
Charisma of Hitler: Hitler was a charismatic orator who could captivate large audiences, making many Germans believe in his vision and leadership.
