The Rise of Totalitarianism

The Rise of Totalitarianism

World War I and the Russian Revolution triggered off a Global Civil War

At issue: crisis and transformation of the global system A long series of intense political struggles within states and

between states. Main groups of actors: political forces seeking revolutionary changes, oriented

towards socialism (the Global Left), forces aiming to destroy the Global Left and save

capitalism through abolishing liberal democracy (the Global Right), and

forces seeking to save capitalism through social and political reforms which would undercut the Global Left (the Global Centre)

The Global Left: The Soviet Union, regarded as the base of world

revolution; A network of communist parties organized in the

Comintern; National liberation movements in the Global South,

seeking the overthrow of Western empires – and regarding the USSR as a key ally

The Global Right Various right-wing forces, shattered by World War I and the

Russian Revolution On the defensive, trying to adapt to the new situation

Conservatives adrift The rise of Radical Right – fascism

Combining nationalist, militarist, socialist and antidemocratic ideas

The new word: “totalitarianism” (Mussolini) Fascism allows the Right to go on the offensive But until the 1930s, the offensives are of local, not global,

significance

Mussolini addresses a Fascist Party crowd, 1934:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOv-Ncs7vQk

Compare the style with that of former Moscow Mayor Luzhkov, 2008: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_e2R8yjkzmQ&feature=related

The Global Center Liberals, reform-minded socialists, labour and other social

movements struggling for democratization and social reforms

The 1920s as a period of uncertainty Emergence of a liberal world order instead of a world

revolution? Stabilization of global capitalism, revival of globalized

markets Disarmament, League of Nations Peaceful coexistence between the West and the Soviet

Union

1929 The start of the Great Depression Capitalism shattered, class conflicts on the rise everywhere Revival of the ideas of world revolution The Global Left goes on the offensive Radicalization of right-wing forces Political polarization Retreat of liberal democracy In international relations – growing anarchy, return to

traditional power politics

USSR and Germany Cooperation in the 1920s: realpolitik practiced by the two

“rogue states” But also: open Soviet support of German Communists 1929 In the Soviet Union, NEP is replaced by forced

industrialization and a drive to full-fledged totalitarianism In Germany, the Great Depression undermines democracy

and sets the state for Nazi takeoverIn both cases: a crisis and a heavy statist response to the failures of the market economy

The rise of Stalin: General Secretary since 1923, concentration of power in the 1920s, the growth of personality cult in the 1930s

The rise of Hitler: leadership of the Nazis since 1923, increasing political influence in the 1920s, appointment as Reichskanzler in 1933

2 forms of totalitarianism – fascism and Stalinism

Similarities Total subjugation of society to the state State control of the economy, suppression or heavy

regulation of market forces Abolition of political and civil liberties The party-state symbiosis Cult of the Leader Mass political terror and repression, key role of secret

police Militarization of society, preparation for war New culture of war

Differences Germany:

to prevent a revolution to overcome the Depression to reverse the results of WWI racism as the core of Nazi ideology

USSR: to preserve Communist Party rule to defend the country from hostile environment to foster world revolution class struggle as the core of Soviet ideology

1931-32: Japanese troops occupy Manchuria, China

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktJU2IZQr4M&feature=related

Nazi Germany in colour: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-

ozF4zndGbg&feature=fvw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tM79_7XYbcA&feature=PlayList&p=56A35DF81331BC20&index=13

January 20, 1933: Franklin D. Roosevelt is inaugurated as US President: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLU2fJpsmVo&feature=related

From Roosevelt’s inaugural address, January 20, 1933:

“Rulers of the exchange of mankind's goods have failed through their own stubbornness and their own incompetence, have admitted their failure, and have abdicated. Practices of the unscrupulous money changers stand indicted in the court of public opinion, rejected by the hearts and minds of men. True they have tried, but their efforts have been cast in the pattern of an outworn tradition. Faced by failure of credit they have proposed only the lending of more money. Stripped of the lure of profit by which to induce our people to follow their false leadership, they have resorted to exhortations, pleading tearfully for restored confidence....The money changers have fled from their high seats in the temple of our civilization. We may now restore that temple to the ancient truths. The measure of the restoration lies in the extent to which we apply social values more noble than mere monetary profit”.

Roosevelt decides to recognize the USSR Motives: geopolitical

Containing Germany and Japan Sends a signal in October 1933, Soviet Foreign Minister

Maxim Litvinov arrives in Washington for talks 3 issues:

Russian debt from WWI Suppression of religious and legal rights in USSR Soviet aid to American Communists

A “gentleman’s agreement” is reached Nov. 1933: diplomatic relations are restored

The geopolitical triangle: Axis powers (Germany, Italy, Japan), USSR, Western democracies (WDs)

USSR

WDs

Axis

Germany’s expansion, 1933-39

Fascism and Communism as sworn enemies Both sides tried to win allies

Hitler: I am crushing communism and protecting Western civilization (ideological). It was in his interest to downplay geopolitics

Stalin: I am trying to stop Hitler’s aggression (geopolitical). It was in his interest to downplay ideology

Both succeeded to some extent: Hitler managed to overthrow the Versailles constraints, rebuild

Germany’s military power, and expand German borders Stalin gained US recognition and a degree of respectability in

the West with his advocacy of “collective security” agreements against fascist powers

Stalin’s first choice: Policies of collective security (alliance with democracies to

stop Hitler)

After the failure of this option - A non-aggression pact with Hitler to stay out of the coming

war and extend Soviet borders westward

The Spanish Civil WarCan democracy be sacrificed to defeat the Left?Foreign intervention on both sidesSplits between forces of the Left, blunders of the LeftVictory of the Right, abetted by liberals