The Girl Guides, Downton Abbey and MI5: Fascist Collaborators - Professor Clive Bloom

TL;DR

Fascist organizations capitalized on disillusionment after World War I and the anti-communist crusade played a significant role in their rise. MI5 also supported fascism to eliminate communism in Britain.

Transcript

so if we go back to the end of the first world war um what we have is disillusionment the first thing that they capitalize on is disillusionment a lot of the anti-semitic organizations were all in fact all of them were anti-communist the anti-communist crusade was much more significant than the anti-jewish crusade until the mid-30s and then it chan... Read More

Key Insights

• 😮 Disillusionment after World War I provided fertile ground for the rise of fascist organizations.
• 🪛 Anti-communism was a significant driving force behind the growth of fascism.
• ❓ MI5 actively supported fascist organizations to combat communism in Britain.
• 🖐️ Oswald Mosley and the Biff Boys played crucial roles in the development and legitimization of fascist movements.
• 👨‍🔬 Fascist organizations were searching for a transcendental leader to unite their diverse factions.
• 🖐️ The Daily Mail and other media outlets played a role in promoting and supporting fascist ideologies.
• 🙈 There were individuals within fascist organizations who saw their cause in religious terms, likening their leaders to Christ.

Questions & Answers

Q: What factors contributed to the rise of fascist organizations after World War I?

The disillusionment following World War I and the prominence of anti-communist sentiments were the key factors fueling the rise of fascist organizations. These groups capitalized on the discontentment and sought to provide a solution through extremist ideologies.

Q: How did MI5 contribute to the growth of fascism in Britain?

MI5, the British intelligence agency, supported fascism as a means to eliminate communism from the British industrial scene. They provided financial support and gathered information from fascist groups, viewing them as allies in their fight against communism.

Q: Who were the Biff Boys, and why were they significant?

The Biff Boys were a group of individuals who used physical force to enforce their ideology. Led by a Jewish boxer named Kid Lewis, they became heroes in popular literature of the time. Their support and involvement further legitimized Oswald Mosley and the fascist cause.

Q: Was there a search for a transcendental leader among fascist organizations?

Yes, fascist organizations sought a transcendental leader who could bring together their various factions and ideologies. These organizations were looking for a figure who could provide a mystical and authoritative focus for their movement.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Disillusionment after World War I provided fertile ground for the rise of fascist organizations, which capitalised on anti-communist sentiments.

• MI5 supported fascism to eradicate communism in Britain, actively collaborating with fascist groups and providing them with information and resources.

• Fascist leaders, like Oswald Mosley, sought to create a transcendental and authoritarian political system, with the backing of groups like the Biff Boys.