American Fascist Ideology

[Discernible]

An American fascist ideology around this period is probably going to reflect what the mass membership of the 1920s KKK period held.

Obviously racist (particularly anti-African), antisemitic, and - in terms of what drove the northern mass membership of the KKK - anti-Catholic. American inter-war fascism was basically the return of Know Nothing nativism in bedsheets.

Inter-war period 'fascisms' took on a few forms about who the 'other' was. In Scotland more people heard Moseley rant against the Jews in Blackpool than in his speaking tour than in all the venues of Scotland. Scotland's interwar 'fascistic' outburst was anti-Catholicism, particularly Irish Catholicism. Ironically Irish immigration to Scotland had become a dribble by this period, and even the Tory Scottish Secretary - who was an Orangeman - repudiated the claims of those arguing on anti-Irish Catholic platforms.

It was all a bit of a weird period where, unfortunately, some of these 20th century Know Nothings won power.

 

[Wendell]

FDR the 1928 gubernatorial election and Newton Baker is the 1932 nominee and election victor. Vice President Huey Long ascends upon Baker's death early in his second term.

 

[YYJ]

In research for another timeline, I came across this character. I never knew.

Robert R. Reynolds - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[Cryptic]

how would American Fascism look like in practice?

Just like the.... UFO movement or gasp, the hippy movement.

Basically, the US is too large to have a unified fascist movement. Rather, like UFOs and Hippies, US fascism would be a broad coalition of the willing, the psuedo willing and those just "along for the ride".

Thus, I think the presidency is out of the question. Majorities the Senate and House could be possible- especially with psuedo fascist mainstream conservative adding their numbers to out right fascist minority parties.

In the end, however, I am thinking a smorgasborg of ideas, leaders and policies. Consider:

- Protestant WASP supremacy fascism may work in the non coastal parts of the deep south. But, with share cropping a fact of white life in the region, it may be surprisingly socialistic in regards to absentee land ownership.

- WASP based fascism will not work in industrialized areas of the north east. Nor, will it work in large areas of the lower and upper mid west (too many non WASP Catholics. Midwestern farmers tend to own their own land- not going to like hearing about any land reform for any reason. Industrial establishment will not tolerate any encroachment on the private property / industry.

- Mormon fascism?- maybe WASP like, but will not be WASP based.

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[Cryptic]

I think a Lindbergh-Ford ticket that plays to American isolationism and focusing on home affairs and staying out of WW2 and doesn't disrupt daily life and keeps Congress, local elections, but is sympathetic to the Nazis and does anti-Semitic and eugenics laws,

The educated, progressive left was known for advocating a variety of eugenics laws based on perceived intelligence- usually linked to race and culture. Maybe politics would make strange bedfellows?

 

[omnidirectional]

I think Plot Against America was a pretty realistic take on it. Americans are very used to at least a facade of democracy and a comfortable daily life, at least by the 1920s. Lindbergh and Ford were popular and respected, and Lindbergh's America First thing while pretty clearly a bad idea, had some traction for a while.

Both were nasty people in private with pro-Nazi views, and in Lindy's case, several illegit families in Germany. I think PAA's idea of Lindbergh mysteriously disappearing and letting FDR retake the Presidency is pretty out there. I get the author was trying to exorcise his past and make a point. But I think Lindbergh or Ford could win a Presidential election without using force, and would then be pro-Axis, but probably not join World War II as an Axis nation outright since they would be campaigning on isolationism and anti-war sentiment which was high before Pearl Harbor.

I think the idea of Lindbergh doing BS "assimilation" programs for Jewish people is about right. He was into eugenics and may have staged the kidnapping of his baby because it had defects. Ford seems more openly hateful with the Dearborn Independent. Him I could see making some internment camps or breaking up Jewish owned businesses for "tax fraud" or some BS. Depends on which was President.

So I think if it was them, they'd follow usual American political processes, but be pro German neutrals in foreign policy and emulate their racism and other bad stuff to varying degrees. Unfortunately if they sit out the war and trade and help the Germans passively, Britain and the USSR are going to have it tougher.

Them or the Business Plot strike me as the main chances for the scenario. I don't think the Silver Shirts or Coughlin or Bund could get real national power on their own. I think Huey Long doesn't really qualify as a fascist, since he was more like a socialist and much less racist than other Southern governors of the time.

I think groups like the Klan or Silver Shirts or Bund might end up getting Night of the Long Knives treatment from an American fascist regime after a while.