LIFE IN A TOTALITARIA

N STATESection 3------By: Gina

Pike

AN “IRON AGE” OF TOTALITARIAN CONTROL

Stalin turned the Soviet Union in a

totalitarian state.

A Totalitarianism State: a

government in which a one party

dictatorship regulated every aspect of its

citizens’ life.

Stalin’s Communist party used secret

police, censorship, and terror to enforce.

PROPAGANDACitizens were bombarded with propaganda through

various ways including newspapers, radios, etc.

Propaganda suggested extreme nationalism

People who supported Stalin= treated as heroes

WAR ON RELIGION

Atheism became official policy of the

state

Earlier, Communists had targeted the

Russian Orthodox Church, which had

strongly supported czars.

Many religious properties and

figures/leaders were seized

Roman Catholics and the Jewish were

targeted as well

Islam was also discouraged although

faced fewer restrictions

CHANGED IN SOVIET SOCIETY

Destroyed old order including the social

order

A few elite groups emerged

Communist party= top of society, only a

small number of people were allowed to

join the party

The Soviet Elite: industrial managers,

military leaders, scientists, and some

artists and writers…these people enjoyed

many benefits

Benefits Free education was offered to allFree medical carDay care for childrenInexpensive housing Public transportation and recreation

SOCIAL BENEFITS AND DRAWBACKS

Drawbacks Standard of

living was low Many people

migrated to different cities

Housing was scarce

Meat, fresh food, etc. was in short supply

Education

Many schools were built

Schools taught Communist

ideas

Formed many sports

programs, cultural activities,

etc.

MORE CHANGES …Women… Were granted equality

under the law Gained access to

education By 1930s many women

were working in medicine, engineering, or science fields

Artists and writers

were forced to adopt a

style called socialist

reform .

Socialist reform: “…

goal was to boost

socialism by showing the

Soviet life in a positive

light”

THE ARTS AND THE STATE

Government controlled

everything including

what books were

published, what music

was played and heard,

etc.

Some writers, artist,

and composers faced

persecution.

Strict censorship

Massive propaganda

Terror…

These were all tools

Stalin used to modernize

the Soviet Union and

ensure his personal

power.

LOOKING AHEAD…

The Soviet Union

became one of the

worlds military leaders.

World leader in heavy

industry, steel, and oil

production.