Synopses & Reviews
The Croix de Feu and its successor the Parti social français stood at the center of the political conflict in the final years of the French Third Republic and were widely regarded as the counterpart of fascism in Germany and Italy. Only recently has the view that fascism also has roots in France become a serious topic for debate. From Liberalism to Fascism is based largely on archival research and places French fascism in the wider context of the history of French conservatism. Received views of French social and economic structures are also overturned.
Review
"...a pioneering contribution. And a very good one....Passmore's detailed and exhaustive probings of local sources has yielded impressive results....It is a fine piece of craftsmanship which will make a major contribution to the topic." William D. Irvine, H-France"A rich and complex study, essential to specialists." N. Greene, Choice"There is much to admire in Passmore's book. ...this study is a major contribution to our understanding of French conversations in the 1930s. It is local with broad implications." Robert Soucy, American Historical Review
Synopsis
In the final years of the French Third Republic the Croix de Feu and its successor the Parti Social Français were widely regarded as the counterpart of fascism in Germany and Italy. From Liberalism to Fascism uses a micro-study of the city of Lyon to place French fascism in the wider context of the history of French conservatism.
Table of Contents
Preface; List of abbreviations; List of maps, charts and figures; 1. Introduction; 2. From France to the Rhone; 3. Urban society in the Rhone; 4. Rural society in the Rhone; 5. The crisis of the right I, 1928-31; 6. The impact of the economic crisis; 7. The crisis of the right II; 8. The Croix de Feu; 9. The right and the Popular Front; 10. Conclusion; Appendices; Bibliography; Index.