Joseph Stalin and Totalitarianism

A totalitarian government is one which there is absolute control by the state or the government. Which the nation is run by a group of dictators--people who approve of totalitarianism. Joseph Stalin took over Russia, he was a dicator and he controlled the public and private lives of the people. Creating a 5 year plan which he just wanted Russia to be more advance, technologically, industrially and more ways. People who went against his says were killed, which were called "The Great Purge".

Film Lesson: Doctor Zhivago

"Doctor Zhivago" is in WWI, which it shows Russia's role. Being tired of the war, they decided to go back because their solders were tired and they missed their families. The Czar, the people in power were sent to jail after the solders came back and people rebelled. Going back to Russia, he noticed that living in a communist government wasn't as hyped up as it was thought to be. Back then he was a very rich man who owned a very large house, but since Russia became communist everyone had to be equal. So he had to share his large house and his possessions with 13 other families that now live there with him. He realized that communism isn't a good idea as he thought it to be.

Causes of WWI

Nationalism
Strong nationalism from each country led to the hatred to WWI. It turned everyone against each other, everyone thought they were more superior.
Militarism
Every country were building large armies and navies before the war started (pre-war years). The higher officials and military officers came up with plans to mobilize and all that was needed was the go signal. It was rumerd that there were always secret battle plans, which only made everyone more angry and fearful.
Assassination of Franz Ferdinand
On June 28, 1914 the Archduke Francis Ferdinand (the heir to the Austrian throne) was shot dead along with his wife by a Serbian nationalist of the Black Hand. He was killed because he wanted to turn Austria-Hungary's monarchy into a triple monarchy which planned to include Serbia.
Collapse of Alliance System
German Chancellor Bismarck, announced that he gave up ideas to gain land. Which made him come up with the Alliance System to maintain Germany's good terms with other Eurpoean countries. France was determined to fight this Alliance System since Germany defeated them back in 1871 and was forced to give up some land (Alsace-Lorraine) to them. Bismark tried to get on good terms with Austria, Russia, Italy and Britian in order to leave France alone and by itself.