Like imperialism, pan-movements operated outside the realm of limited government and emphasized continuous movement and growth. Continental imperialism led to the pan-movements (i.e., pan-nationalism) which Arendt suggests offered more for Stalin and Hitler’s totalitarian movements than any other historical contributor. Arendt suggests that imperialism paved the way for totalitarianism by showing how antisemitism and racism can be weaponized to exert control, creating a precedent for extending power beyond national borders.Īrendt suggests that these colonies became an education in violence for many Nazi elites, teaching them how to obtain and exert power through bureaucracy and ideology. Imperialism allowed the bourgeoisie to rule by bureaucracy in other nations, colonizing them and using terror to further their monetary advancement. Seeking capitalistic wealth, the bourgeoisie looked outside of the nation-state. In Part 2, Arendt connects totalitarianism to imperialism and shows the relationship between the bourgeoisie and the rise of totalitarian movements.

Arendt suggests that all of this led totalitarian movements to intentionally choose antisemitic rhetoric to advance their agendas. In turn, nations both required Jews to assimilate while wanting them to maintain separateness. European aristocracy aligned itself with conservative religious agendas and perpetuated antisemitic rhetoric to further mobilize the masses against Jews. Rather, it is an ideology that is weaponized by totalitarian movements. Jews found themselves both sought after and excluded for their heritage.Īrendt asserts that antisemitism is not mere hatred. Arendt argues that the loss of Jewish political influence while maintaining wealth led others to resent the Jewish people. She details the history of the Jewish people in Europe and the limitations and privileges attached to their distinct status. Arendt refutes several claims about the relationship between antisemitism and totalitarianism, asserting that antisemitism preceded totalitarianism, rather arising during it. Part 1 defines antisemitism and outlines its role in totalitarianism. Arendt suggests that understanding and examining totalitarian movements helps humanity better understand their causes and prevent their future recurrence.

A Jewish Holocaust survivor and philosopher, Arendt attempts to understand what led to the powerful success of the Germanic and Russian pan-nationalist movements and, ultimately, the totalitarian regimes which dominated Europe for the first half of the 20th century. The text is divided into three parts: antisemitism, imperialism, and totalitarianism.

The origins of totalitarianism