Terror helped totalitarian governments control their populations by instilling fear and a sense of powerlessness among the people. The threat of punishment, such as imprisonment, torture, or execution, kept individuals in line and discouraged any form of dissent or opposition. The constant state of fear created a culture of obedience and submission to the government, as people were afraid to speak out or act against the regime. This control tactic allowed totalitarian leaders to maintain authority and suppress any potential threats to their power.
