Midexam Prep PDF

A - identification and Significance First paragraph defining term/ historical context. Second paragraph relating to totalitarian age/ broader terms. 1. Nineteen Eighty-Four - “1984” is the title of a book published by George Orwell. The society which the book takes place in is a good exa...

A - identification and Significance First paragraph defining term/ historical context. Second paragraph relating to totalitarian age/ broader terms. 1. Nineteen Eighty-Four - “1984” is the title of a book published by George Orwell. The society which the book takes place in is a good example of how 20th century totalitarian regimes operated. The uses of propaganda, surveillance, and fear draw parallels from the real regimes under Hitler, Stalin, and Mussolini. The “Big Brother” character who led the regime in the book also serves as an example of how real totalitarian leaders were (eg, Hitler, Stalin, Mussolini), as he is depicted as an all powerful, all knowing leader. 2. antisemitism - Anti-semitism is defined as hostility or prejudice towards Jewish people. It was especially prevalent during the totalitarian age, with Jews being targets in both Nazi Germany, and the Soviet Union. In Germany, Jews were targeted as a result of being blamed for Germany's ongoing problems, among other things. In the Soviet Union, Jews were targeted as a result of the “Doctors Plot”. - Jews were often targeted, and used as a scapegoat to unify people to a common goal under totalitarian regimes. Through the targeting of Jewish people, the world now understands the consequences of leaving totalitarian regimes unchecked. 3. total war - The term “total war” is a relatively new term introduced as a way to describe especially brutal, and large-scale wars, such as the first and second world wars. This term would come about as a result of WW1, which revolutionized warfare, such as weaponry, and battlefield tactics. - The “total war experience” is a collection of aspects that describe total war. 1) Unlimited war aims: Wherenegotiated peace is not possible, every side wants total victory of the other. 2) Mass mobilization: Where significant resources are put into the war effort, through manpower, and scientific or industrial means. 3) Cultural mobilization: Where countries develop a ‘war culture’ meant to sustain morale. 4) Unlimited violence: Where the rules of war are stretched, meaning, the distinction between combatant and noncombatant is erased, leading to death on a massive scale.  5) Brutalization: The psychological impact of war on people. People are desensitized to violence through the nature of total war, and are more willing to commit acts of violence. - Total war aligns with the ideologies of 20th century regimes, where they often felt that it was them vs the world, therefore warfare and expansion is the only way to preserve their regime. 4. February Revolution - The February revolution (takes place in march) in 1917 was a ‘liberal’ revolution which led to the Russian monarchy losing power, and a parliament (Duma) gaining control. The revolution was a result of dissatisfaction with the rulers. Failures during WW1 would also lead to mistrust of the monarchy. The Duma which replaced Tsarism would then try to emulate western democracies. - Ultimately, the new liberal government would face a crisis of legitimacy. This was mainly due to the peasant class not supporting liberal movements, as to them it was a foreign idea. As a result of this, the first Soviets would appear. The October revolution would act as a founding moment for the Soviet Union. All of this highlights the fact that political unrest, and mistrust is often a main cause of totalitarian powers gaining control. 5. Leon Trotsky - Leon Trotsy was one of the potential leaders after Lenin, who Stalin saw as a great potential opposition. Though he played a pivotal role in the civil war, there was fear that leadership under Trotsky would lead to a military dictatorship, as he was seen as too “Napoleon- like”. 6. cult of personality - A ‘cult of personality’ refers to the deliberate propagation of an idealized, heroic, or even godlike figure of a leader. A cult personality is created through means such as propaganda and media. It is something used by leaders of totalitarian regimes to consolidate power, and enforce loyalty. - A cult personality would be something that Stalin, Hitler, and Mussolini would work to develop. Stalin for example, would utilize propaganda to portray himself as a father figure for the soviet people. He would also bolster the image of Lenin, and then attach it to himself, further establishing himself as an important figure for the Soviet Union. 7. Socialism in One Country - The idea of “socialism in one country” refers to the building of socialism within the Soviet Union, without the influence of the global community. Much resources  would be poured into hyper-industrialization, where military equipment would be produced en masse in order to ‘catch up’ with opposing powers. - In order to do this, Stalin found that centralized power was necessary, meaning he had to purge all opposition. Stalin felt incredibly insecure, so early on in his regime, he would focus on producing military equipment as he felt that a war with other powers was inevitable. 8. dekulakization - The term “dekulakization” refers to the class war that happened in the Soviet Union in the 1930s. In the Soviet Union under Stalin, wealthier Soviets were often harshly targeted, being labelled as “enemies of the people", as they were seen as greedy “capitalist” peasants. These “wealthy” peasants were referred to as ‘Kulaks’. - In terms of relation to broader themes, dekulakization would be used to support the ideologies of Stalin’s regime. The term would eventually be used for anyone who rejected collectivization. As a result of dekulakization, 1.7 million people would be deported to Siberia, with the help of the secret police. This mass oppression would result in people resisting, with many slaughtering their own livestock, and fleeing to Poland. Dekulakization serves as an example of the oppression and ideology building that is often associated with totalitarian regimes. 9. secret police - A “secret police” is often used by totalitarian regimes as a tool to control and suppress opposition. For example, Hitlers “Gestapo” and Stalin's “NKVD” often carried out acts of violence and terror in the names of the regimes which they served. The utilization of a secret police is considered a key term that helps define totalitarianism. - During Stalin’s reign over the Soviet Union, Stalin’s secret police, known as the NKVD, carried out purges in order to stifle resistance and opposition against the regime. Those who were considered even suspicious were often targeted by the NKVD, and by the end of Stalin’s purges, over 700,000 had been shot. 10. Gulag - The gulag system was the “chief administration of corrective labour camps and colonies” that were utilized in the Soviet Union, especially during Stalin's regime. During Stalin’s terror, more than 1 million individuals were sent to gulags, where many would perish due to poor living conditions. These gulags would significantly contribute to the 5 year plan, as the slave labour which they produced would contribute to infrastructure, and resource collection. During WW2, people would  be taken out of these gulags to go fight. After the war, the amount of prisoners would increase and fill with petty criminals who only wanted to make ends meet. - The gulag system is significant to understanding the totalitarian age, as it exemplifies the mechanics of control and repression that totalitarian regimes utilize to maintain power. Gulags demonstrate how fear is often used as a political tool for these regimes, and how these institutionalized forms of oppression keep a centralized state power going. Parallels to the Gulag system would be Nazi concentration camps, which served a similar purpose. 11. Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact - The Molotov-Ribbentrop pact of 1939 was a pact of non-aggression made between Nazi Germany, and the Soviet Union. This was largely a German initiative, as by allying with the Soviet Union, Hitler believed that France and Britain would be less likely to go to war. With this pact in place, the Soviet Union was allowed to expand further west, taking back land they had lost in WW1. - The Molotov-Ribbentrop pact demonstrates the aggressive expansionist ideals that are aligned with totalitarianism. Despite the ideological differences of Nazi Germany, and the Soviet Union, both sides benefit as they would be able to rapidly expand their territory. Both sides were well aware that war between them was still very possible, so Stalin also saw that the pact was his chance to create a buffer zone between Russia, and Germany in the case that a war breaks out. 12. Lend-Lease - The Lend-lease program was originally a deal between the Americans and the British, where the Americans would lend military equipment to the British. As soon as the Soviet Union allied with the west, they too took part in the lend-lease program. Western weapons would be sent to Moscow, and equipment such as radios would vastly improve the capabilities of the red army. 75% of what was sent was food stuff, which would ultimately prevent a mass famine from occuring in the Soviet Union. B - Primary source Analysis - Divide response into 3 paragraphs (for each step) How to analyze propaganda poster Construction - Who is the intended audience - What is the historical context (look at when it was created) - Who created it/ who was involved with the production process Transmission - What media are used/ where did this propaganda likely appear - What techniques are involved, eg, bandwagoning; stereotyping; celebrity testimonial; incentive/reward vs threat/fear - Style and symbolism (consider use of color, language, symbolism) Reception - How effective was it/ what evidence is there to determine how effective the propaganda was - What popular responses does it promote/ what beliefs does it reflect - Consider how people at the time would have likely viewed the propaganda; consider historical context