International Historical Inspirations

 AS Level Media Studies Final Project

January 12th, 2026, Post 5

Historical inspirations for my project - International Inspirations:

    A great example of a 'dystopian' society in which a nations' citizens are subliminally forced to love their oppressors is, of course, North Korea. In North Korea, the supreme leader, who is chosen through the Kim family, is considered god-like among the nations citizens. Most cultural landmarks – and their history –

have been subsequently rewritten in order to favor the country and its leadership. Its visual arts, music, theater, and films are all made in order to paint the regime in a good light, and make its citizens love the nation. North Korea is one of the strictest example of this in the real world, but it is still a great basis for my project. 

(This is an image of the statues of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, left and right respectively. In the photo are  citizens of North Korea paying their respects towards the former supreme leaders. This photo shows the extreme admiration of North Korea's citizens regarding the nation regime and leaders. )

      Another example of a nation in which its citizens treat the nation and its leaders as 'perfect,' or at least treat them as above them, is Nazi Germany. One of the stronger facets of this 'brainwashing' in Nazi Germany was its education. Its education made the younger generation believe that the inferior races and groups of people were inherently evil and disgusting, and that the regime was helping them by removing these groups. Due to being taught this at such an early age, this belief was ingrained in these children's minds, which was why it was so effective. Much of the hate of these groups was already believed by the citizens of Germany and its neighboring countries, and Nazism simply exemplified this hate. This is a tactic used by many extremist hate group and powerful regimes. This idea of hate towards 'inferior' groups and systemic brainwashing of its citizens to love their group and hate others is a key idea in my project.