2. TotalitarianismCase Study: Stalinist Russia pg#874-879Stalin, Lenin's successor, radically transformed the government of the Soviet Union. Stalin was determined that the Soviet Union would find its place, both politically and economically, among the most powerful nations in the world. Stalin worked to establish total control over all aspects of life in the Soviet Union. He controlled the government, the economy, and many aspects of citizens' private lives.I. A Government of Total ControlThe term totalitarianism describes a government that exercises total, centralized state control over all aspects of public and private life. Totalitarian leaders seem to provide a sense of security and direction for the future. In the 20th century, the widespread use of mass communications made it possible to reach every aspect of citizens' lives. A dynamic leader, able to generate support for his policies and justify his actions, leads most totalitarian governments. Often the leader uses the secret police to crush opposition and create a sense of fear among the population. Totalitarianism challenges the highest values ​​of Western democracies regarding reason, freedom, human dignity and the value of the individual. All totalitarian states share fundamental characteristics. To dominate an entire nation, totalitarian leaders devised methods of control and persuasion such as the use of terror, indoctrination, propaganda, censorship, and religious or ethnic persecution. Normally, the police are supposed to respond to criminal activity and protect citizens. In a totalitarian state, the police serve to enforce the central government...... middle of paper...... women. In 1950, they represented 75% of Soviet doctors. Soviet women paid a heavy price for their growing status in society. In addition to having full-time jobs, they were responsible for household chores and childcare. Motherhood is considered a patriotic duty in totalitarian regimes. Soviet women were expected to provide the state with future generations of loyal and obedient citizens.V. Complete Control Achieved By the mid-1930s, Stalin had forcibly transformed the Soviet Union into a totalitarian regime and an industrial and political power. He stood unopposed as dictator and maintained his authority over the Communist Party. Stalin would not tolerate individual creativity. He saw it as a threat to the conformity and obedience demanded of citizens in a totalitarian state. It ushered in a period of total social control and rule by terror, rather than constitutional government..