Throughout history, totalitarian societies have stripped the rights of their citizens for their benefit. These societies have created constraints to control citizens and manipulate them to follow the government’s ideology. An example would be the Nazi Regime, as they used psychological tactics to control the citizens. Therefore, these previous totalitarian societies influenced literature to show the harsh realities. 1984 by George Orwell is an example of this. It explores the totalitarian society’s harmful effects on its citizens. Hence, 1984 presents a totalitarian society that is parallel to the history of the Nazi party, as it can be demonstrated through the constant surveillance and the use of propaganda. History can explain the cultural and socio-political aspects of a …show more content…
Overall, the text shows how these surveillance tactics lead to paranoia and can manipulate the mind. As 1984 presents the use of surveillance on its citizens, it can connect to how the Nazi Regime had its secret police force called the Gestapo. According to Holocaust Encyclopedia it states, “Gestapo Policemen used torture and violence in interrogations [...] And they harshly repressed resistance movements in Germany and German-occupied Europe. (Holocaust Encyclopedia)” The Gestapo were a threat in Germany due to them secretly eliminating people who were not following the Nazi ideologies and secretly killing individuals who were in opposition to Nazi Regime. Therefore, the Gestapo, like the Thought Police in the book, helps understand the heavy surveillance and the various threats to restrict one’s conscience. Propaganda is a tool to influence individuals into specific ideologies/beliefs. George Orwell showed some propaganda. Posters often reminded citizens of their leader and showed who their enemy is, and who their saviour