The South’s connection and political response to European fascism during the interwar period (1919-1939)

This dissertation investigates the complex relationship between the U.S. South and European fascism during the interwar period (1919-1939). It argues that the South shared distinct connections—including commonalities, networks, and exchanges—with fascist Europe, and its political response differed from the rest of the United States. While criticisms of fascism leveled against the South were often exaggerated, the region mirrored racial, labor, and political practices found in fascist Europe during the 1930s. This mirroring influenced the South's relatively affirmative stance towards fascism, as evidenced in the discourse of its politicians. The research uses case studies of southern politicians to demonstrate how they engaged with fascist discourse. This engagement served a dual purpose: undermining progressive New Deal elements and safeguarding the South's traditional social structures. The dissertation highlights how the South's distinct response influenced U.S. domestic policy by shifting it rightward and how transnational exchanges offered encouragement to European fascists. Utilizing hermeneutical, comparative, and transnational methods, the study analyzes primary sources like the Congressional Record and personal papers of southern congressmen, alongside extensive secondary literature. The findings suggest that the South's connections to the interwar transnational fascist movement provide crucial context for understanding the contemporary rise of right-wing populism, as Southern symbols and ideas continue to influence global right-wing movements.