Lecture Notes on Historical Perspectives of Freedom and Totalitarianism

Equality in the Sight of God

• Visionaries like Moses, Muhammad, Confucius, and Christ believed in the equality of all men in the sight of God.
• This belief influenced the spirit among men and nations, as reflected in the Declaration of Freedom: "All men are created equal."
• This idea forms the cornerstone of nations, promoted by liberators like Washington, Jefferson, Garibaldi, Lafayette, and Lincoln.

Totalitarianism and Loss of Freedoms

• Totalitarian regimes arose in Germany, Italy, and Japan, exploiting people's beliefs and surrendering liberties.
• Symbols and uniforms became powerful tools (e.g., black dragon, Roman symbol of fascists, and brown shirts).
• Media and cultural activities were controlled, and freedoms like speech, assembly, and press were abolished.
• Secret police enforced decrees, holding power over life and death.

Manipulation of Religion and Education

• Regimes sought to align with or eliminate religious institutions.
• In Germany, the Protestant churches were targeted; education promoted state as sole authority.

International Treaties and Ignored Peace Pacts

• Washington disarmament and Kellogg-Briand Pact aimed to reduce arms and abolish war.
• Many nations, including Japan and Germany, signed these treaties but later ignored them.

Expansionist Ambitions

• Italy under Mussolini sought to revive the Roman Empire, claiming lands like Corsica, Nice, and Libya.
• Japan aimed for a new order in Asia, beginning with Manchuria, as outlined in Tanaka Memorial.
• Germany and Japan had goals to dominate globally, including parts of the United States.

Global Response and Consequences

• League of Nations' condemnation of Japanese aggression in Manchuria was ignored.
• Collective security failed, emboldening aggressors.
• The aggression in Manchuria was a precursor to broader conflicts leading to World War II.

Democratic Responses to Challenges

• Democracies like the US responded to economic and social challenges through legislation and programs like CCC.
• Even with internal challenges, democratic institutions allowed for leadership choices, unlike totalitarian regimes.

The Ongoing Struggle

• The lecture concludes by emphasizing that the fight is against the age-old tyranny of the few over the many.
• The free peoples of the world, including America and Britain, continue to fight for the preservation of freedom.