Historical Roots of American Fascism: Manisha Sinha–Rise and Fall

Take part in the Political Strategy Study Group’s  sweeping look at the history and political significance of the major waves of struggle and counter-revolution in the United States.

Our Reconstruction Era study now focuses on 

• W.E.B. Du Bois’ Black Reconstruction and
• Manisha Sinha’s The Rise and Fall of the Second American Republic: Reconstruction, 1860-1920. 

We will use readings and discussion to address three major points of analysis: 

1. Sources, strengths, and strategies of the waves of popular struggle of the era;
2. Changing forms of repression and the antecedents or emergence of an extreme and fascist right; 
3. Strategic reflections on the era from vantage point of the present moment. 

We envision an overall yearlong plan of study, with six historical units. You can join for any at any time:

1. Settler-colonial expansion – freedom struggles and response focusing on Texas
2. Civil War and Reconstruction
3. The Repression of Radical Labor
4. Post World War I to the Rise of the Modern Political Right 
5. Black Freedom struggles and the Carceral State
6. Neoliberalism, post neoliberalism, and Late Fascism

And throughout, supplementary readings and presentations to reflect directly on the present day.

In order to give our major book selections the time they need, and also make room for supplementary readings suggested by the group, we expect this reading group to continue through the year. We will read and discuss against the backdrop of emerging political changes after this year’s US elections. 

The class syllabus is in progress, along with this bibliography of supplementary readings.

Convened by Steve Backman and Rebecca Minnich, supported by Fred Murphy and Carl Davidson