About the book
Focusing on portrayals of Mussolini’s Italy, Hitler’s Germany, and Stalin’s Russia in U.S. films, magazine and newspaper articles, books, plays, speeches, and other texts, Benjamin Alpers traces changing American understandings of dictatorship from the late 1920s through the early years of the Cold War.
During the early 1930s, most Americans' conception of dictatorship focused on the dictator. Whether viewed as heroic or horrific, the dictator was represented as a figure of great, masculine power and effectiveness. As the Great Depression gripped the United States, a few people — including conservative members of the press and some Hollywood filmmakers — even dared to suggest that dictatorship might be the answer to America’s social problems.
In the late 1930s, American explanations of dictatorship shifted focus from individual leaders to the movements that empowered them. Totalitarianism became the image against which a view of democracy emphasizing tolerance and pluralism and disparaging mass movements developed. First used to describe dictatorships of both right and left, the term “totalitarianism” fell out of use upon the U.S. entry into World War II. With the war’s end and the collapse of the U.S.-Soviet alliance, however, concerns about totalitarianism lay the foundation for the emerging Cold War.
Editions of Dictators, Democracy, and American Public Culture
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780807827505
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780807854167
- EBook
- ISBN 9780807861226
- PDF
- ISBN 9798890870650
Read an Excerpt
Focusing on portrayals of Mussolini’s Italy, Hitler’s Germany, and Stalin’s Russia in U.S. films, magazine and newspaper articles, books, plays, speeches, and other texts, Benjamin Alpers traces changing American understandings of dictatorship from the late 1920s through the early years of the Cold War.
During the early 1930s, most Americans' conception of dictatorship focused on the dictator. Whether viewed as heroic or horrific, the dictator was represented as a figure of great, masculine power and effectiveness. As the Great Depression gripped the United States, a few people — including conservative members of the press and some Hollywood filmmakers — even dared to suggest that dictatorship might be the answer to America’s social problems.
In the late 1930s, American explanations of dictatorship shifted focus from individual leaders to the movements that empowered them. Totalitarianism became the image against which a view of democracy emphasizing tolerance and pluralism and disparaging mass movements developed. First used to describe dictatorships of both right and left, the term “totalitarianism” fell out of use upon the U.S. entry into World War II. With the war’s end and the collapse of the U.S.-Soviet alliance, however, concerns about totalitarianism lay the foundation for the emerging Cold War.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Dictators, Democracy, and American Public Culture about?
Focusing on portrayals of Mussolini’s Italy, Hitler’s Germany, and Stalin’s Russia in U.S. films, magazine and newspaper articles, books, plays, speeches, and other texts, Benjamin Alpers traces changing American understandings of dictatorship from the late 1920s through the early years of the Cold War.
During the early 1930s, most Americans' conception of dictatorship focused on the dictator. Whether viewed as heroic or horrific, the dictator was represented as a figure of great, masculine power and effectiveness. As the Great Depression gripped the United States, a few people — including conservative members of the press and some Hollywood filmmakers — even dared to suggest that dictatorship might be the answer to America’s social problems.
In the late 1930s, American explanations of dictatorship shifted focus from individual leaders to the movements that empowered them. Totalitarianism became the image against which a view of democracy emphasizing tolerance and pluralism and disparaging mass movements developed. First used to describe dictatorships of both right and left, the term “totalitarianism” fell out of use upon the U.S. entry into World War II. With the war’s end and the collapse of the U.S.-Soviet alliance, however, concerns about totalitarianism lay the foundation for the emerging Cold War.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Dictators, Democracy, and American Public Culture?
History and Archaeology > History > History of the Americas
Where can I read a sample of Dictators, Democracy, and American Public Culture?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780807827505
How long is Dictators, Democracy, and American Public Culture and how many pages does it have?
Dictators, Democracy, and American Public Culture has 416 page(s)
Is Dictators, Democracy, and American Public Culture part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series Cultural Studies of the United States
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Dictators, Democracy, and American Public Culture?
Benjamin L. Alpers
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Dictators, Democracy, and American Public Culture is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780807827505) and paperback(ISBN 9780807854167) and ebook(ISBN 9780807861226) and pdf(ISBN 9798890870650)
Where can I buy Dictators, Democracy, and American Public Culture online or support local independent bookshops?
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Where can I buy Dictators, Democracy, and American Public Culture?