The Origins of Totalitarianism

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1951

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Download PDF

Access Full Guide

Before You Read

Summary

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1, Chapters 1-4

Part 2, Chapters 5-7

Part 2, Chapters 8-9

Part 3, Chapters 10-13

Key Figures

Themes

Index of Terms

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Tools

Discussion Questions

Essay Topics

Describe modern examples of antisemitism and compare their origins and outcomes to the antisemitism Arendt details in Part 1.

How does Arendt contrast race-thinking with racism? How does this align with or differ from modern thinking about racism?

Throughout the book, Arendt explores key qualifiers of totalitarian movements, totalitarian rulers, and imperialism. What modern examples of these qualifiers can be found? What are/will be the consequences of these modern examples?