PBS: Nazi Town, USA (Fascism, Christian Nationalism & Anti-Semitism)
With the current election happening in the United States 🇺🇸, many Americans have been alarmed by the rise of nationalism (especially Christian Nationalism), & the increase in anti-semitism throughout the country.
However, many people do not realize that these ideas are not new to the United States 🇺🇸, & have been prevalent throughout American history for the past 100 years.
The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) released a documentary detailing the rise of fascism in America 🇺🇸, which parallels the current political situation.
Aside from the disturbing imagery & rhetoric, it was alarming to learn that many of these fascist ideas were popularized by a wealthy individual by the name of Henry Ford (who was famous for revolutionizing the automobile industry).
A close friend recalled a camping trip in 1919 during which Ford lectured a group around the campfire. He “attributes all evil to Jews or to the Jewish capitalists,” the friend wrote in his diary. “The Jews caused the war, the Jews caused the outbreak of thieving and robbery all over the country, the Jews caused the inefficiency of the navy…”
In 1918, Henry Ford purchased his hometown newspaper, The Dearborn Independent. A year and a half later, he began publishing a series of articles that claimed a vast Jewish conspiracy was infecting America. The series ran in the following 91 issues. Ford bound the articles into four volumes titled “The International Jew,” and distributed half a million copies to his vast network of dealerships and subscribers. The rhetoric was not unusual for its content, as much as its scope. As one of the most famous men in America, Henry Ford legitimized ideas that otherwise may have been given little authority. (PBS, American Experience)
Another interesting highlight from the documentary was the American First committee, which featured a controversial person named Charles Lindbergh.
In October 1938, Lindbergh was presented by Goering, on behalf of the Fuehrer, the Service Cross of the German Eagle for his contributions to aviation. News of Nazi persecution of Jews had been filtering out of Germany for some time, and many people were repulsed by the sight of an American hero wearing a Nazi decoration. Lindbergh, by all appearances, considered the medal to be just another commendation. No different than all the others. [...]
As Germany pushed on into France and began its Blitzkreig bombardment of England, Americans began to alter their isolationist views. One group, however, had no such change of heart. The America First Committee was the most powerful isolationist group in the country. Its 850,000 members came from all professions and backgrounds. The AFC was headed by Robert E. Wood, head of Sears Roebuck. Impressed by what they had heard from Charles Lindbergh, the AFC invited him to join their executive committee. Lindbergh accepted the invitation, but insisted on drawing no salary. He also insisted on writing his own speeches and would not submit them for approval. One such speech was given in Des Moines, Iowa, on September 11, 1941. [...]
Announcing that it was time to “name names,” Lindbergh decided to identify what he saw as the pressure groups pushing the U.S. into war against Germany. “The three most important groups who have been pressing this country toward war are the British, the Jewish and the Roosevelt Administration.” Of the Jews, he went on to say, “Instead of agitating for war, Jews in this country should be opposing it in every way, for they will be the first to feel its consequences. Their greatest danger to this country lies in their large ownership and influence in our motion pictures, our press, our radio and our government.” The speech was met with outrage from numerous quarters. Lindbergh was denounced as an anti-Semite. (PBS, American Experience)
While the merging of fascism with racism, nationalism & religion may seem like a new horror happening in the present, history has shown that this is merely recycled hatred practiced by bigots generations ago.
Fascism, nationalism, racism, etcetera, should be condemned & opposed, especially when it comes under the label of Christian Nationalism.
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