Introduction
Nazism is often associated with Adolf Hitler and the horrors of World War II, but it also found a disturbing foothold in the United States, both before and after the war. The German American Bund, active in the 1930s, sought to bring Nazi ideology to America, but its influence waned following Germany’s defeat. However, the seeds of American Nazism were far from dead. In the post-WWII era, a new figure emerged to carry the torch of hate—George Lincoln Rockwell.
A decorated World War II veteran, Rockwell was captivated by Hitler’s ideas and would go on to found the American Nazi Party in 1959. He was a man whose radicalism and charisma drew comparisons to Hitler himself, and his influence helped to ignite a new wave of white supremacy and neo-Nazism in the U.S. This article will explore the life and rise of George Lincoln Rockwell, his disturbing ideology, and the lasting impact of his neo-Nazi movement in the United States.
The Roots of American Nazism: German American Bund and Early Influences
Nazism in the United States did not begin with George Lincoln Rockwell. In the 1930s, during Hitler’s rise to power in Germany, the German American Bund was formed to promote Nazi ideology on American soil. The Bund organized rallies, published propaganda, and sought to align German-Americans with the Nazi regime. At its height, the group boasted tens of thousands of members, holding parades in New York City where swastikas and American flags flew side by side. However, after the U.S. entered World War II, the Bund’s influence faded, and its leaders were arrested or went underground.
Rockwell, born in 1918, was not a member of the Bund, but his early life was shaped by a series of radical influences. After serving in World War II and later in the Korean War, Rockwell grew increasingly disillusioned with American politics, viewing the post-war world as weak and corrupt. He soon found inspiration in Hitler’s writings, particularly Mein Kampf. Convinced that Hitler’s ideology was the key to rebuilding what he saw as a declining civilization, Rockwell set out to resurrect Nazi ideology in the United States.
The Rise of George Lincoln Rockwell and the American Nazi Party
In 1959, George Lincoln Rockwell founded the American Nazi Party (ANP), initially called the World Union of Free Enterprise National Socialists. Based in Arlington, Virginia, the ANP quickly attracted attention, both for its overt embrace of Nazi symbols and rhetoric, and for Rockwell’s brazen public appearances in Nazi uniforms.
Rockwell’s rhetoric was virulently racist, antisemitic, and anti-communist. He believed that Jews controlled the American government and media, manipulating society to promote racial integration and communism. He also viewed African Americans as inferior and called for the establishment of an all-white ethnostate. Rockwell’s speeches, pamphlets, and demonstrations were aimed at rallying disaffected white Americans who felt threatened by the growing civil rights movement, communism, and the perceived decline of traditional values.
Unlike many fringe extremists, Rockwell was a charismatic and polished public speaker, and his military background lent him a certain credibility among supporters. He was often described as an articulate, sharp-dressed leader who could manipulate media attention to amplify his hateful messages. He held provocative public events, including a failed attempt to stage a “White Man’s March” on Washington, D.C., in the early 1960s.
Ideology and Propaganda: Rockwell’s Version of Nazism
Rockwell’s vision for American Nazism was more than just an admiration for Hitler. He believed that the United States was in danger of being overtaken by a combination of Jewish influence, racial integration, and communist ideology. His solution was a racially pure, fascist state governed by National Socialist principles. In this state, Jews would be expelled, African Americans would be deported to Africa, and communists would be eradicated. His party advocated for the immediate cessation of immigration from non-European countries and the abolition of civil rights for racial minorities.
One of Rockwell’s most disturbing tactics was his use of mass media to spread his ideology. He understood the power of propaganda, much like Hitler, and often sought to gain attention through shock value. The American Nazi Party produced newsletters, pamphlets, and propaganda posters featuring swastikas, hate-filled caricatures of Jews, and calls for the extermination of “racial enemies.”
He also seized on issues that resonated with a portion of the American populace, such as opposition to desegregation and the civil rights movement. By positioning himself as a defender of “white rights,” Rockwell appealed to those who felt disenfranchised by social change, gaining support from fringe white supremacists, neo-Nazis, and disillusioned veterans.
The Antagonist to the Civil Rights Movement
Rockwell’s rise coincided with the peak of the Civil Rights Movement, and he made no secret of his hatred for figures like Martin Luther King Jr. He accused civil rights leaders of being pawns of a Jewish-communist conspiracy and often disrupted civil rights rallies with hate-filled counter-demonstrations. His party members would sometimes show up at rallies, dressed in Nazi uniforms, to antagonize Black activists and their allies.
Despite his extreme views, Rockwell was not without a following. His charismatic leadership and unapologetic advocacy for white supremacy resonated with segments of the population resistant to the social upheavals of the 1960s. While the American Nazi Party never garnered widespread mainstream support, its members frequently clashed with civil rights activists, further contributing to the era’s racial tensions.
The Assassination and Aftermath of George Lincoln Rockwell
On August 25, 1967, George Lincoln Rockwell was assassinated by one of his former followers, John Patler, who had been expelled from the American Nazi Party months earlier. Rockwell was shot while leaving a laundromat in Arlington, Virginia, marking a sudden end to his leadership of the American Nazi movement. Patler, who had grown disillusioned with Rockwell’s tactics and leadership, was arrested and convicted of murder.
Rockwell’s death did not spell the end of American neo-Nazism, however. His influence and ideas continued to inspire subsequent generations of white supremacists and neo-Nazis, including groups such as the National Socialist White People’s Party and the National Alliance. Many of the tactics used by modern-day white supremacist organizations—provocative public demonstrations, media manipulation, and targeting of vulnerable communities—can be traced back to Rockwell’s blueprint.
Legacy and Influence: A Dark Chapter in American History
George Lincoln Rockwell’s legacy is one of hatred, division, and the normalization of Nazism in American politics. While his American Nazi Party never gained significant mainstream traction, Rockwell’s ideas have had a lasting impact on the far-right and white supremacist movements in the United States. His unapologetic racism, antisemitism, and advocacy for violence against minorities paved the way for the resurgence of neo-Nazi groups in the decades following his death.
In modern times, Rockwell’s name still resonates within the ranks of hate groups, where he is often idolized as a martyr for the white supremacist cause. His ability to blend Nazi ideology with American populism made him a uniquely dangerous figure, and his influence can still be felt in the resurgence of far-right extremism in the U.S.
Conclusion
Finally, George Lincoln Rockwell’s rise and fall tell the story of a man consumed by hate, whose vision for America was built on the principles of Nazi ideology. Despite his death, the movement he nurtured continued to evolve, influencing generations of extremists and ensuring that his dark legacy would endure. His role as the “American Hitler” underscores the dangers of unchecked hate and serves as a stark reminder of the persistent threat posed by white supremacist and neo-Nazi ideologies in the United States.
