Prequel: American Fight Against Fascism

Rachel Maddow, a New York Times bestselling author, delves into the fight to protect American democracy dating back to World War II. During this period, a small group of dedicated public servants and courageous private citizens blocked far-right conspirators attempting to align the nation with the Nazis.

Drawing from her research on the popular podcast Ultra, Maddow explores the emergence of authoritarianism on the extreme right of American politics over the past century. Even as American troops were engaged in WWII, a covert network spread misinformation aimed at undermining the U.S. war effort and convincing the population that an alliance with the Axis powers was in their best interest.

This well-organized and generously funded campaign sought to undermine democratic institutions, promote antisemitism, and erode trust in elected leaders with the ultimate goal of overthrowing the government and establishing authoritarian rule. Concurrently, an ultra-right paramilitary group amassed weapons, explosives, and trained for violent insurrection.

Despite these threats, a small group of activists and journalists diligently uncovered the plot and in 1941, the U.S. Department of Justice took decisive action by identifying key conspirators, exposing their backers, and prosecuting many in federal court. However, the involvement of influential elected officials hindered law enforcement efforts, showcasing a disturbing bend in the rule of law under political pressure.

The repercussions of this failure persisted for decades, exerting a lasting influence on American history. Nevertheless, the valiant efforts of activists, journalists, prosecutors, and ordinary citizens who exposed the insurrectionists provide a poignant and relevant narrative in our current unsettling times.

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