TOTALITARIANISM PROJECT
Totalitarianism: a government in which the state involves itself in all parts of society, including the daily life of its citizens. A totalitarian government seeks to control not only all economic and political matters but the attitudes, values, and beliefs of its population.
The government is run by a single party through which the people are mobilized to muster energy and support. The party is generally led by a dictator and, participation in politics is compulsory. The party leadership maintains monopoly control over the governmental system, which includes the police, military, communications, and economic and education systems. Dissent is systematically suppressed and people are terrorized by a secret police. Autocracies through the ages have attempted to exercise control over the lives of their subjects, by whatever means were available to them, including the use of secret police and military force. However, only with modern technology have governments acquired the means to control society.
GOAL
Using two pieces of paper create a pamphlet promoting your totalitarian country.
TITLE PAGE:
Create a country name and a slogan that all people should know and live by. Make it simple but significant. Put your real name and period in the bottom right corner.
INSIDE COVER:
Create your country’s history. Explain what a glorious country it is and how you helped make it great.
PAGE ONE – EDUCATIONAL PLAN:
What classes are elementary, middle and high school students required to take? How many hours will your students be in school? What are the requirements for college? Be creative. Do not copy the American education system
PAGE TWO – PROPAGANDA PLAN:
Create a cult of personality. This is when an individual uses mass media, propaganda, or other methods, to create an idealized and heroic public image, often through unquestioning flattery and praise.
If the people are allowed to have freedom of speech and press they will criticize you and your family. In this section think of some creative ways to get your country to love you and prevent them from hearing or seeing any ideas that you disagree with.
What are you going to allow on the television? What kind of music will people be allowed to listen to on the radio? What type of information will you prevent from being on the internet? Are the people allowed to follow a religion or are you the only person that they are allowed to worship? Where is your picture going to hang?
PAGE THREE – LAW AND PUNISHMENT:
Make a list of ten laws that will help your country be safe and strong and the consequences for breaking those laws.
PAGE FOUR:
Draw your country’s flag.
BACK INSIDE COVER:
Write a 10 line national anthem that all people will need to know and sing.