- Summary
- "Fighting Authoritarianism provides a new and important examination of U.S. youth activism of the 1930s, including the limits of the New Deal and how youth activists continually pushed FDR, Eleanor Roosevelt, and other New Dealers to do more to address economic distress, more inclusionary politics, and social inequality. In this study, author Britt Haas questions the interventionist versus isolationist paradigm in that young people sought to focus on both domestic and international affairs. Haas also explores the era not as a precursor to WWII, but as a moment of hope when the prospect of institutionalizing progress in freedom, equality, and democracy seemed possible. Fighting Authoritarianism corrects misconceptions about these young activists' vision for their country, heavily influenced by the American Dream they had been brought up to revere: they wanted a truly free, truly democratic, and truly equal society. That meant embracing radical ideologies, especially socialism and communism, which were widely discussed, debated, and promoted on New York City college campuses. They believed that in embracing these ideologies, they were not turning their backs on American values. Instead, they believed that such ideologies were the only way to make America live up to its promises."--Back cover.
- Format
- Book
- Author/Creator
- Haas, Britt, author.
- Published
- New York : Empire State Editions, an imprint of Fordham University Press, 2018
©2018
- Locale
- United States
USA
- Edition
- First edition
- Contents
-
Part I Seeing the problem and envisioning a plan
The effects of the crash : the youth problem from New York City to Harlan County, Kentucky, and back again
The Reed Harrison affair : youth claim their rights and freedoms at Columbia University and beyond
The Scottsboro Boys : demands for equality from the Deep South to New York City
The Popular Front : strength in unity, New York City organizations come together in solidarity
Playing politics and making policy : institutionalizing a vision from New York to Washington
The fight against fascism : the Spanish Republicans find their support in New York City
Dissolution : World War II subverts the Zeitgeist and youth's vision for America.
- Notes
-
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Part I Seeing the problem and envisioning a plan -- The effects of the crash : the youth problem from New York City to Harlan County, Kentucky, and back again -- The Reed Harrison affair : youth claim their rights and freedoms at Columbia University and beyond -- The Scottsboro Boys : demands for equality from the Deep South to New York City -- The Popular Front : strength in unity, New York City organizations come together in solidarity -- Playing politics and making policy : institutionalizing a vision from New York to Washington -- The fight against fascism : the Spanish Republicans find their support in New York City -- Dissolution : World War II subverts the Zeitgeist and youth's vision for America.
