Fascism in America. Past and Present

Has fascism arrived in America? In this pioneering book, Gavriel D. Rosenfeld and Janet Ward have gathered experts to survey the history of fascism in the United States. Although the US established a staunch anti-fascist reputation by defeating the Axis powers in World War II, the unsettling truth is that fascist ideas have long been present within American society. Since the election of Donald Trump as President in 2016, scholars have debated whether Trumpism should be seen as an outgrowth of American conservatism or of a darker – and potentially fascist – tradition. Fascism in America contributes to this debate by examining the activities of interwar right-wing groups like the Silver Shirts, the KKK, and the America First movement, as well as the post-war rise of Black antifascism and white vigilantism, the representation of American Nazis in popular culture, and policy options for combating right-wing extremism. ‘This book is an essential contribution to debates on the history of fascism in the US and its relationship to the present. It is a must read for all those interested in the issues facing democracy today.' Federico Finchelstein - author of From Fascism to Populism in History ‘The 2016 election was an electric moment in American electoral politics; its aftermath prompted a ‘fascist temptation' among media and political elites. Masterful and provocative, this volume anchors the debate on presentism by examining America's fascist past, and brings new angles, colors, and histories on the pressing question of Trumpism and fascism.' Charles Gallagher - author of Nazis of Copley Square: The Forgotten Story of the Christian Front ‘In a moment of urgency, as we stare down threats to democratic institutions the world over, the essays gathered here provide a tool kit for how to assess and counteract fascist tendencies in the American past & present. A must read for scholar and citizen alike.’ Jennifer V. Evans - author of The Queer Art of History: Queer Kinship After Fascism ‘This thoughtful and solidly documented account of America’s home-grown, right-wing extremism serves as a corrective to anyone who supposes in the era of Donald Trump that the United States was immune from the fascist wave which began in 1919 Italy by Mussolini and spread worldwide.’ Robert Paxton - author of The Anatomy of Fascism ‘A timely collection that provocatively shifts our focus from Europe to the United States. By offering deeply researched investigations into continuities and ruptures within the illiberal tradition, the book provides an unsettling and indispensable exploration into a brand of politics still with us today.’ Jonathan Wiesen - University of Alabama at Birmingham