Terror in the form of mass executions, forced labor camps, and surveillance created a climate of fear and suspicion among the population, discouraging dissent and resistance. The threat of punishment for disobedience or criticism instilled a sense of helplessness and compliance in the citizens, making them more likely to obey the government's demands. Totalitarian governments used terror as a tool to crush any potential opposition, ensuring complete control over the population and maintaining their grip on power.
