Essay On Joseph Stalin Totalitarianism

3. Explain in detail the different aspects of totalitarianism and describe how Stalin employed these policies and tactics to extend and maintain absolute control over Russian society. (Beck, Section 2) A totalitarian government is one that takes complete control over every aspect of a nation, including both the public and private lives of its citizens. Totalitarianism goes against the democratic values of reason, freedom, human dignity, and the worth of the individual. Leaders of totalitarian nations use terror, indoctrination, propaganda, censorship, and religious or ethnic persecution. These often included police terror, strong control of education, and the creation of so-called "enemies of the state." To be considered a truly totalitarian state, …show more content…
Stalin utilized secret police, armed with tanks and armored cars, to suppress riots. Telephone lines and mail were monitored, and children were used to gain information about disloyal remarks spoken in the home. In 1937, he launched the Great Purge, a campaign of terror attempting to eliminate all threats to Stalin's power that resulted in upwards of 8 million deaths. Stalin and his government also controlled all newspapers, movies, radios, and other sources of information. Russian writers and artists became victims of censorship, and individuality was stifled. Art was instead used to portray images of propaganda and glorify the Soviet government. All levels of education were strictly controlled, and professors or students who did not conform to the Communist Party's ideas could lose their jobs or be imprisoned. Party leaders lectured peasants and workers about the ideals of communism, and emphasized the importance of sacrifice to benefit the state. The Communists and a state-sponsored group of atheists spread propaganda to attack religion, and the police often destroyed magnificent churches and