Contextualization

Totalitarian regimes deeply marked the 20th century, shaping the course of world history in ways that still reverberate today. The emergence of Fascism in Italy, Nazism in Germany, and Stalinism in the Soviet Union are topics of paramount importance to understanding the political and social dynamics of the period. These totalitarian eras were not only marked by authoritarian governments, but also by a range of extermination practices, such as the Holocaust, which demonstrate the dark depths of humanity.

Totalitarianisms emerged as radical responses to the crises and conflicts that permeated societies after World War I. They are governments where all political power is concentrated in the State, controlling all instances of social, political, and economic life, in addition to promoting intense propaganda and censorship. Totalitarian regimes are also characterized by the cult of the leader's personality and the persecution of minorities and opponents.

Understanding totalitarianism allows us to delve into intense moments of our history. It is from this perspective that we can perceive how much of our current society has been shaped by these events and prevent them from happening again. The consolidation of totalitarian states, their origins, practices, and consequences are, therefore, essential tools for understanding the contemporary world.

The importance of totalitarian regimes extends beyond their direct influence on world politics and geography. They have also become symbols of oppression and dehumanization, serving as powerful reminders of the dangers of authoritarianism. In this perspective, a deep understanding of these political systems helps us to recognize and challenge authoritarian practices and human rights violations that persist in our world today.

Understanding Fascism, Nazism, and Stalinism, and how they affected the world, offers us a rich and nuanced perspective on the history of the 20th century and its relevance to our times. We invite you, through this work, to embark on a journey through time, understanding the complexity of these regimes and reflecting on their implications in our current society.

Shall we start our journey back in time? We recommend the following resources to start your research:

1. Book "Fascism and Nazism" by Laurence Rees.
2. Documentary "The World at War", available on Prime Video.
3. Website: Encyclopedia of the Holocaust in Portuguese Link

Practical Activity: Journey into Totalitarian Regimes

Project Objective

The objective of this project is to provide a deep and critical understanding of three of the main totalitarian regimes of the 20th century: Fascism in Italy, Nazism in Germany, and Stalinism in the Soviet Union. To this end, students will carry out an investigative "journey" through the regimes, acting as historians and journalists to collect, analyze, and present information about these remarkable eras and their consequences for the world.

Project Description

Students will be divided into groups of 3 to 5 members, and each group will be responsible for investigating one of the aforementioned totalitarian regimes. The project will require dedication and in-depth research, with an estimated working time of around 15 hours per student.

To carry out the project, the groups must follow the steps described below in detail.

Required Materials

1. Books and academic articles on the subject.
2. Access to the internet for research purposes.
3. Writing material for note-taking.
4. Presentation material (can be digital or physical, according to the group's preference).

Detailed Step-by-Step Guide

1. Research and Information Gathering: The groups should begin the project by researching the assigned totalitarian regime in depth. It is suggested to use books, documentaries, and academic articles as primary sources of information. They should consider issues such as origin, main characters, adopted policies, impacts on the population, extermination practices, and the end and consequences of these regimes.

2. Analysis and Interpretation: After collecting information, the groups should analyze and interpret the data, seeking to understand not only the facts in isolation, but also the causes, contexts, and consequences of these events in history and contemporary society.

3. Preparing a News Report: Based on their findings, the groups should create a detailed "news report" on the totalitarian regime under investigation. The report can be presented in any format (written, video, podcast, etc.), as long as it is informative, detailed, and interesting. The report should cover all aspects researched, presenting a complete overview of the regime.

4. Presentation of the News Report: Finally, each group will present their report to the class, sharing their acquired knowledge and critical analysis.

Project Deliverables

The groups must submit the report and a detailed report of all the project stages. The report must have a formal structure, containing:

• Introduction: Describing the project theme, the relevance of studying totalitarian regimes, and the objective of the activity.
• Development: Reporting in detail the research and analysis stages, besides a detailed description of the news report production. The research methodology, the sources used, and the results obtained must be stated.
• Conclusion: A critical reflection on the group's findings, what learnings were acquired, and how they contribute to understanding history and current society.
• Bibliography: The references of all materials used during the project.

The final project, including both the report and the news report, must demonstrate the acquisition of technical skills (describing and contextualizing the emergence processes of Fascism, Nazism, and Stalinism, and the comparison of these regimes), as well as socio-emotional skills (time management, effective communication, problem solving, critical thinking, and proactivity).