Totalitarianism and Total War (The Second World War)

Learning Objectives, section 5.1 Totalitarianism

Students will:

• 5.1.1 Know, understand and be able to explain the differences between the political ideologies of the interbellum period.

• 5.1.2 Understand and be able to express why some European governments failed during the 1920‘s and 1930‘s.

• 5.1.3 Analyze and be able to explain the effects of totalitarian governance on social, political and economic life.

Unit 3: Key Terms

• Totalitarianism

• Authoritarianism

• Dictatorship

• Oligarchy

• Communism

• Socialism

• Fascism

How do Totalitarian States control their citizens?Let’s take a look at probably the best contemporary example of a totalitarian government…

DPRK – The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea aka North Korea

and the Kim Dynasty

The DMZ – Demilitarized ZoneEstablished in 1953 at the end of the Korean War

The Kim Dynasty

• Kim Il Sung (1953 – 1994) Kim Jong Un (2011 – present)

• Kim Jong Il (1994 – 2011)

North Korean family fun.It's not easy for foreign journalists to get into people's private apartments in North Korea. But from glances through windows and glimpses of lives through conversation, it's clear that a place of honor is reserved for portraits of the Great Leader and the Dear Leader - the grandfather and father in the current leader's family dynasty. North Korean icons.

No one will tell you they are not respected or revered. And few will pass up an opportunity to have their picture taken I front of them.

The disconnect between North Korea and the rest of the world is real. News is tightly controlled, so citizens get only the information – and the propaganda – the government wants them to read. State-run newspapers are posted in public places, like subway stations.

And whatever the content, it always reinforces the official narrative: an invasion by the US and South Korea is inevitable.

It seems only in North Korea that the opening of a high rise complex would have military overtones. Thousands of soldiers, marching in triumph... politicians - including leader Kim Jong un -claiming victory.

To them, being able to build dozens of towers while the country is facing sanctions is huge. So huge, they say it's as significant as dropping hundreds of nuclear bombs on North Korea's enemies. Which, by the way, Kim Jong un also vows to do.

After school in Pyongyang, children don’t just show off how they can sing, North Korea shows how it can soar… with nuclear-tipped missiles at centrestage.

Depictions of these are everywhere in the city. In propaganda posters, among flower arrangements, with missile-shaped light posts on the streets. Beyond a weapons program or a government plan, these have become a national symbol. Perhaps even the regime’s raison d’être.

And despite assurances that it’s all very attainable and affordable, there is little doubt that North Koreans have sacrificed to make the rocket tests a reality. Not only because money that could be used for development is used for the military, but because the weapons have triggered tough international sanctions which keep many goods away from North Korea.

Totalitarianism

1. Led by a Dictator with unrestricted power

2. State Controlled Media

3. Strong Military

4. Use of propaganda