Totalitarianism in Pre-War Europe Essay - 979 Words

Totalitarianism in Pre-War Europe Totalitarianism refers to a system of government and parliamentary ideology that was in many of the countries of Europe between the years 1918-1939. This period saw many ideologies being developed and put into practice, and many even blame the rise of totalitarian states and aggressive, autocratic leaders for the Second World War. Totalitarianism is often associated with regimes in which there is one leader and party unquestionably in power with no significant rivals. In a totalitarian state, the ideology of the party is often firmly indoctrinated. The term was first used in 1925 to describe a socio-political system that was comprehensive and all embracing. It†¦show more content†¦As each of the states had a different totalitarian regime with varying degrees of control and severity, most factors for the rise of, and in many cases, the appearance of totalitarianism are different. In order to identify them, it is important to know the background of the states that turned to totalitarian governments and dictators. Benito Mussolinis Italy, although it had the faÃÆ' §ade of a Fascist nation was largely not under his control. Other sources of power, although not a threat to his regime, nevertheless existed, as the monarchy and the Roman Catholic Church were still regarded highly by the majority of the Italian people. Although his aim, as he once said, was everything within the state, nothing outside the state, nothing against the state, Mussolini still did not have much control over the Italians, as can be seen by the various attempts, and final success to assassinate him. Hitlers Germany was, in many respects, more organized. Although he never had majority of the votes, the Nazis were very popular with those who wanted Germanys nationalistic and economic revival. To a large extent, Germany did fulfil the criteria and control needed for a totalitarian state, and this was helped by Hitlers oratory skills. Josef Goebbels, the Nazi chief propaganda administrator,Show MoreRelatedA Brief Biography of Sir Winston Churchill Essay885 Words   |  4 Pagesgospel of envy. It’s inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery(Sir Winston Churchill).† During World War I and II, much of Europe was taken over and placed into the slavery of socialism and of Adolf Hitler. While much of Europe was sitting on their hands over the crisis of Hitler, Churchill stood strong and knocked the Nazi general back into his place. 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