Fascism Definition and characteristics. Totalitarianism Definition and characteristics.

POLITICAL CONCEPTS AND PRINCIPLES OF GOVERNMENT.

Subject :

GOVERNMENT

Class :

SS 1

Term :

FIRST TERM

Week :

Week 10

Topic :

Fascism: Definition and characteristics.

Totalitarianism: Definition and characteristics.

Previous Knowledge :

The pupils have previous knowledge of

Oligarchy Meaning, features, types Communism Definition origin and development, principles of communism, relationship between communism and socialism

that was taught as a topic in their previous lesson

Behavioural Objectives :  At the end of the lesson, the pupils should be able to

• Define fascism.
• State five features of fascism.
• Say Fascism originated from where and under whose government.
• Define totalitarianism

Teaching and Learning Resources :  .

• Online materials
• Schemes of work
• Textbooks
• Newspaper
• Films that are related to the topic
• Pictures
• Activity charts

CONTENT :

WEEK 10.

TOPIC: BASIC CONCEPTS

CONTENT

1. Fascism: Definition and characteristics.
2. Totalitarianism: Definition and characteristics.

Sub-Topic 1:FASCISM-MEANING OF FASCISM.

Fascism can be defined as a political ideology and a system of government headed by a privileged elite dictator who exercises total control and promotes nationalism where socialism is discouraged. Fascism was a type of dictatorial government established in Italy under Benito Mussolini between 1922 and 1933. It was a form of authoritarianism. Under fascism, people’s lives are completely controlled by the state.

EVALUATION

1. What is Fascism?

A. A political philosophy that believes in the power of the state over the individual

B. A political philosophy that believes in the power of the individual over the state

C. A form of government that is characterized by strong central control, limited civil liberties, and aggressive nationalism

D. A form of government that is characterized by strong central control, unlimited civil liberties, and aggressive nationalism

2. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of Fascism?

A. A belief in the power of the state over the individual

B. A belief in the superiority of one race or nation over others

C. A desire to return to a simpler time

D. A belief in laissez faire capitalism

3. Who is considered the founder of Fascism?

A. Benito Mussolini

B. Adolf Hitler

C. Joseph Stalin

D. Vladimir Lenin

4. Which war did Fascism arise out of?

A. World War I

B. World War II

C. The Cold War

D. The American Revolution

5. What was the main goal of Fascism?

A. To create a classless society

B. To promote nationalism

C. To expand the territory of the state

D. To promote internationalism

CHARACTERISTICS OF FASCISM

1. All powers in the state are vested in the leader who exercises total control over the entire people.
2. All aspect of life of the citizens such as education, religion, size of a family, etc.are controlled by the government.
3. Workers are not allowed to go on strike and there is no freedom of the press.
4. Fascism believes in war as a viable means of settling dispute between nations and for the attainment of international peace.
5. Fascism does not believe in the equality of man but believes in class structure in the society.
6. It is against democratic principles e.g. rule of law, mass political participation, constitutionalism, etc.
7. Under the system, the state embarks on imperialistic expansion and domination of other countries politically and economically e.g. Germany between 1911-1945.
8. There is lack of respect for international laws and conventions.
9. The economy is highly centralised since the means of production and distribution are controlled by the government.
10. Only one political party is allowed to practise.

Evaluation

1. What is the main characteristic of Fascism?(A) A belief in strong nationalistic pride (B) An emphasis on a single party state (C) A disdain for democracy and individual rights (D) A preference for private enterprise over state control
2. 2What were some of the primary goals of Fascism? (A) To promote a sense of national pride (B) To establish a strong centralized government (C) To amass military power and aggressively expand territory (D) To encourage private enterprise and economic growth
3.  How did Fascism typically view democracy?(A) As a necessary evil(B) As a system that needed to be dismantled(C) As an ideal to be strived for(D) As a hindrance to progress
4.  How did Fascism feel about individual rights? (A) They were unimportant (B) They were SUPREME(C) They were to be respected, but not valued above the state(D) They were a necessary part of society
5. Which economic system did Fascism typically favor? (A) A mixed economy with some state control (B) A primarily free market economy (C) A centrally planned economy with strict state control (D) An agricultural based economy

Sub-Topic 2:

TOTALITARIANISM

Definition

Totalitarianism is a government headed by a dictator. It is a type of government in which the state takes total control of all the activities of the people and complete control of everything in the state. Examples of totalitarian regimes are Nazist government in Germany, fascist government in Italy, and communist government in defunct USSR.

Evaluation

1. What is the name of the political system that gives a single party complete control over the government and society?

A. Monarchy

B. Democracy

C. Oligarchy

D. Totalitarianism

2. Which of the following countries is an example of a totalitarian state?

A. United States of America

B. France

C. Russia

D. North Korea

3. What is the name of the secret police force that is often used by totalitarian regimes to control and oppress their citizens?

A. The CIA

B. The KGB

C. The FBI

D. Interpol

4. Which of the following rights are often violated in totalitarian societies?

A. Freedom of speech

B. Freedom of religion

C. Right to a fair trial

D. All of the above

5. What is the name of the German dictator who led the Nazi party to power and oversaw the mass murder of millions of Jews during the Holocaust?

A. Adolf Hitler

B. Franklin Roosevelt

C. Joseph Stalin

D. Napoleon Bonaparte

CHARACTERISTICS OF TOTALITARIANISM

1. Existence of one party system.
2. Total control of everything in the state.
3. The use of force and terror to enforce the will of the state by the rulers.
4.  Existence of a single ideology and philosophy.
5. There is suppression of individual’s initiatives.
6. State control of the mass media. vii.The individual has no fundamental right, what he has is only fundamental duties.
7. Freedom of speech and association is abolished.
8. It is the supreme authority that controls everything.

EVALUATION

1) What is totalitarianism?

A) A political system where one person or party controls everything

B) A economic system where the government owns all the means of production

C) A political system where the government does not interfere in people’s lives

D) A form of government where citizens have no input or say in what happens

2) What are the characteristics of a totalitarian government?

A) A single person or party has complete control over the government and the people

B) The government controls all aspects of people’s lives, including their economy, education, and personal relationships

C) There is no freedom of speech or press, and dissent is not tolerated

D) The government does not interfere in people’s lives

3) Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of totalitarianism?

A) One person or party has complete control over the government and the people

B) Totalitarian governments are usually dictatorial

C) The government controls all aspects of people’s lives, including their economy, education, and personal relationships

D) Citizens have input and a say in what happens in their government

4) Which of the following is NOT an effect of totalitarianism?

A) People are usually not very happy or satisfied with their lives

B) Totalitarian governments usually have high levels of economic inequality

C) Totalitarian governments often lead to war

D) People usually have more personal freedoms

5) What are some historical examples of totalitarianism?

A) The Nazi regime in Germany during World War II

B) The Soviet Union under Joseph Stalin

C) China under Mao Zedong

D) The United States under Donald Trump

Theory

1. Define fascism.
2. State five features of fascism.
3. Fascism originated from where and under whose government.
4. What is totalitarianism?

GENERAL EVALUATION

1. What is fascism.
2. Discuss five characteristics of fascism.
3. Where was fascism introduced?
4. Define totalitarianism.
5. Highlight five feature of totalitarianism
6. Outline five characteristics of totalitarianism.

WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT

1. Totalitarianism means a government headed by__________.
   1. a dictator
   2. wealthy people
   3. educated elite
   4. the masses.
2. A system of government in which the leader exercises absolute power and allows no opposition is called ___________
   1. Totalitarianism
   2. Capitalism
   3. Communism
   4. Socialism
3. Which of the following countries practiced totalitarianism before the Second World War?
   1. Britain and France
   2. Germany and Italy
   3. United states and Canada
   4. Turkey and India
4. Fascism can best be defined as the
   1. Government of a state controlled by multi-party
   2. System of government controlled by the armed forces
   3. Existence of a single party dictatorship with a life president.
   4. Existence of an elected president for a fixed term.
5. The fascist state in Europe was_________

1. Italy
2. Germany
3. Japan
4. Britain

Essay Test:

1. Highlight five feature of totalitarianism
2. Outline five characteristics of totalitarianism.

READING ASSIGNMENT: Read up your notes and text books in preparation for your examination.

PRESENTATION 

The topic is presented step by step

Step 1:

The class teacher revises the previous topic which was

Oligarchy Meaning, features, types Communism Definition origin and development, principles of communism, relationship between communism and socialism

Step 2.

He introduces the new topic.

Teacher’s activities

He or she may ask leading questions that are related to the topic of discussion.

• Lead the learners on the discussion about the topic
• Ask leading questions
• Demonstrate

Step 3:

The class teacher allows the pupils to give their own examples and he corrects them when the needs arise.

Students’ activities 

• Make notes
• Make jotting
• Ask questions

CONCLUSION :

The class teacher wraps up or conclude the lesson by giving out short note to summarize the topic that he or she has just taught.

The class teacher also goes round to make sure that the notes are well copied or well written. He or she does the necessary corrections when the need arises.