A History of Fascism in France From the First World War to the National Front - by Chris Millington (Paperback)

About the Book

"Explores the origins, development, and action of fascism and extreme right and fascist organizbaions in France since the First World War. Synthesizing decades of scholarship, it is the first book in any language to trace the full story of French fascism from the First World War to the modern National Front, via the interwar years, the Vichy regime, and the collapse of the French Empire. Chris Millington unpicks why this extremist political phenomenon has, at times, found such fervent and widespread support among the French people"--

Book Synopsis

A History of Fascism in Franceexplores the origins, development, and action of fascism and extreme right and fascist organisations in France since the First World War. Synthesizing decades of scholarship, it is the first book in any language to trace the full story of French fascism from the First World War to the modern National Front, via the interwar years, the Vichy regime and the collapse of the French Empire. Chris Millington unpicks why this extremist political phenomenon has, at times, found such fervent and widespread support among the French people.

The book chronologically surveys fascism in France whilst contextualizing this within the broader European and colonial frameworks that are so significant to the subject. Concluding with a useful historiographical chapter that brings together all the previously explored aspects of fascism in France, A History of Fascism in France is a crucial volume for all students of European fascism and France in the 20th century.

Review Quotes

Demonstrating mastery of a vast body of scholarship while articulating a judicious interpretation grounded in extensive original research, Chris Millington shows how the evolution of the French far right has been shaped by transnational influences, competitive dynamics, deep-rooted beliefs about gender roles, and colonial contexts and legacies. Fluidly written, highly informative, and admirably balanced, this will be a wonderful resource to anyone interested in the history and current state of ultra-nationalist movements in France, and indeed Europe as a whole.
Sean Kennedy, Professor of History, University of New Brunswick, Canada

This lively and readable book is an elegant explanation of the development of fascism in France.
Kevin Passmore, Professor of History, Cardiff University, UK

About the Author

Chris Millington is Senior Lecturer in Modern European History at Manchester Metropolitan University, UK. He is the author of Fighting for France: Violence in Interwar French Politics (2018), From Victory to Vichy: Veterans in Inter-war France (2012) and co-author, along with Brian Jenkins, of France and Fascism: February 1934 and the Dynamics of Political Crisis (2015).