To put it simply, totalitarianism is a society in which the ruling party or ruler has complete control over the governing body. In a totalitarian society, the government has complete control over all aspects of private and public life. A few countries have had this type rule. However, Nazi Germany, led by Adolf Hitler (the Nazi dictator) is the most notorious totalitarian government to date. The National Socialist Nazi Party, also known as “The Third Reich” or the Third Empire, ruled Germany between 1933 and 1945. Magstadt, 2017. This party believed that the society could be made more perfect by eliminating Jews and other undesirables. Hitler and his Nazi party led the massive genocide that resulted in millions of deaths.

To keep their country under control, totalitarian leaders will use scapegoating and propaganda as well as violence. One who takes on the responsibility for someone else’s actions and/or faults is called a scapegoat. Hitler used communists, Jews and other people to blame for his mistakes. These people were responsible for Germany’s economic collapse and its loss in World War I. Hitler formed a strong propaganda campaign to discredit these groups by placing blame for the nation’s setbacks. In order to force Nazi beliefs on Germany, Hitler also persuaded Germans that communists or Jews must be punished. This would make it possible for Germany to enter a final war. Hitler’s propaganda also sought to silence the protestors, such as artists and journalists. His influence over the public protestors quickly spread to the schools. Hitler Youth was created for children aged 10-18 years old by Hitler. This system was set up to teach children how to conform to Nazi values. Hitler’s government dismantled the old education system and created an educational system that would make Germany’s children more like slaves than citizens (Behreandt 2018, 2018). Nazi Germany used this propaganda to turn to violence against people who were not in their favor. Hitler was able, thanks to mass indoctrination as well as anti-Semitism. These policies were a major factor in the Holocaust’s rise to extreme racial violence. Anti-Jewish laws were established and followed. They allowed the Nazi party, first to identify Jewish people, to then put them into concentration camps. This was the beginning of one of the largest genocides ever recorded. Hitler’s determination to eradicate the Jewish population led to the deaths of millions. There were 7 million Soviet civilians killed, 6million European Jews captured in war, 3,000,000 Soviet prisoners, 1.8million non-Jewish Polish civilians, as well many other victims. Hitler defined the ideal Nazi German citizen as one who adheres to Nazi laws and is submissive under Nazi control. Hitler’s dictatorship saw it as his primary goal to eradicate anyone who didn’t conform to his ideal Nazi German citizen and/or any other person who was against his government. He wanted to create the “master race”. Hitler’s totalitarian regime must be ended. The German people must come together to resist Hitler and his Nazi Party. Citizens can resist propaganda and use civil disobedience, political socialization, or resistance to the government. Any empire that doesn’t have the support and obedience of its citizens will crumble. The citizens have the option to take steps to reduce government power. This can help stop totalitarian governments. This would ensure that all power is not centralized and create equality. The citizens can resist dictatorship by uniting and getting involved. Citizens who speak up are less likely to fall for totalitarianism. Voter apathy must be reduced. One can gain total control of a country through voter apathy. This is when citizens are not interested in the government. The only way to prevent a nation from falling apart is by empowering its citizens. Unification is the key to strength.

Cites

Behreandt, D. (2018). Propaganda – Fight for children’s minds. The New American magazine published an article in its 34th issue, 11th edition, spanning from page 33 to 39. Retrieved from https://chamberlainuniversity.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://search-proquest-com.chamberlainuniversity.idm.oclc.org/docview/2071534142?accountid=147674

Magstadt, T. M. (2017). Understanding politics: Ideas and institutions (12th edition). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.

The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is devoted to preserving the memory of the Holocaust. (2019). Documenting the number of Holocaust victims and Nazi persecution. Retrieved from https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/documenting-numbers-of-victims-of-the-holocaust-and-nazi-persecution

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