Totalitarianism shot into the nations of Europe in rapid fire during the period between the two World Wars. Totalitarianism can be explained as centralized control by an autocratic ruler or hierarchy. This form of government theoretically permits no individual freedom and lowers all aspects of the individual's life to the authority of the government. The totalitarian state tries to pursue goals, such as industrialization or conquest. Under totalitarian rule, traditional social institutions and organizations are discouraged. In the 20th century, many totalitarian rulers came to power in Europe. The most influential of these rulers were Joseph Stalin of Russia, Benito Mussolini of Italy, and Aldolph Hitler of Germany. Each ruler developed very strong totalitarian states and made this a very successful form of government for the mid 20th century between the two World Wars. These rulers had very similar ways of making their totalitarian states successful through use of propaganda, terror, scapegoats, having one political party, taking control of the economy, using the driving force of nationalism and racism, and the use of aggression. .

             Joseph Stalin seized power and transformed the Soviet Union into a totalitarian state. He made totalitarianism successful because he appeared to provide a sense of security and to give a direction for the future. Stalin feels that the people have to follow Bolshevik government if they don't socialists will take over their land (document #1). Stalin tried to unite people toward meeting shared goals of the Bolshevik ideas. To make totalitarianism successful changes in the economy needed to occur. Stalin's economic plans called for a command economy, which is a system in which the government made all economic decisions. The government under Stalin would take drastic steps to promote rapid industrial growth and to strengthen national defense. The five-year Plans set high standards or numerical goals, to increase the steel, coal, oil and electricity output.