Trace the history of the theory of totalitarianism and discuss the degree to which it accurately describes Stalin's Soviet Union, Mussolini's Italy, and Hitler's Germany. Examine whether Japan was also a totalitarian state.

Totalitarianism is a political ideology that seeks total control of all aspects of life by a powerful state.

The origins of totalitarianism can be traced back to 1920s Italy, when Benito Mussolini rose to power and adopted an ideology named "Fascism". Fascism sought total state control in order to advance a particular view for Italy.

Stalin's Soviet Union was a totalitarian communist state because he had control over every aspect of life. The economy was planned, the media was censored, and people could not criticize the state.

Hitler's Germany was a totalitarian state because nazism also sought total state control in order to further Hitler's goals for Germany: territorial expansion, and the extermination of minorities (jews, roma, slavs, homosexuals, the disabled, etc).

Japan was also a totalitarian state until its defeat in the second world war. The Emperor was all powerful, and had total control over national life, and Japan's policy during the era was to colonize most of East Asia in order to expand Japanese influence.