Why Study Totalitarianism
The rise of totalitarianism in post-WWI Europe is an extremely important unit for students to study. It is important to study in order for students to be able to determine the factors that lead to totalitarian governments. The first big idea that students will learn about in this unit is that Russia’s weak government and the cost of WWI (lives and economics) led to the Russian Revolution. Students will also learn that Russia’s economic situation helped Leninism and Marxism gain mass support in Russia. The causes and effects of the Russian Revolution are similar to other revolutions that have been studied up to this point in the world history course. Economics, social status, and living conditions have been the caused revolutions throughout the world. Another big idea that will be examined in this unit is how economics, World War I devastation, and nationalism helped totalitarian rulers like Adolph Hitler, Benito Mussolini, and Joseph Stalin.
This unit includes many primary sources that will help students to connect with the material and offer different perspectives. For example, in the unit students will read an excerpt from Adolph Hitler’s book Mein Kampf in which he talks about the effectiveness if propaganda during World War I and how it would be a strategic method to spread his cause. This allows the students to examine why Hitler used propaganda and learn that other governments used propaganda as well like the United States and Great Britain. Another example of a primary source that is used in this unit is writing from Vladimir Lenin briefly explaining Leninism and why he felt it was necessary in Russia to implement Marxism and Leninism.
The first essential question that brings the unit together is, “How did economics, social status, and living situations lead to the rise of totalitarian governments in Europe?” My second question that brings the unit together is “What methods did totalitarian leaders use in order to increase their power?” These questions are important because overall in this unit the issue of economic and living conditions in addition to the lost of lives and money during WWI led to the rise of totalitarian governments in Europe. This is an important concept to understand in order to insure that the history does not repeat itself. Also, this unit shows why governments should work in the best interest of the citizens and controlled by the people as well.
This unit includes many primary sources that will help students to connect with the material and offer different perspectives. For example, in the unit students will read an excerpt from Adolph Hitler’s book Mein Kampf in which he talks about the effectiveness if propaganda during World War I and how it would be a strategic method to spread his cause. This allows the students to examine why Hitler used propaganda and learn that other governments used propaganda as well like the United States and Great Britain. Another example of a primary source that is used in this unit is writing from Vladimir Lenin briefly explaining Leninism and why he felt it was necessary in Russia to implement Marxism and Leninism.
The first essential question that brings the unit together is, “How did economics, social status, and living situations lead to the rise of totalitarian governments in Europe?” My second question that brings the unit together is “What methods did totalitarian leaders use in order to increase their power?” These questions are important because overall in this unit the issue of economic and living conditions in addition to the lost of lives and money during WWI led to the rise of totalitarian governments in Europe. This is an important concept to understand in order to insure that the history does not repeat itself. Also, this unit shows why governments should work in the best interest of the citizens and controlled by the people as well.