Antifascist History: The Fight Against Fascism in the 20th Century
Published on February 19, 2025 | By Antifascist Club
The Global Struggle Against Fascism
From the rise of Mussolini in Italy to Hitler’s Nazi regime in Germany, the 20th century saw the rapid expansion of fascist movements—met with fierce resistance.
Antifascists fought on battlefields, in underground resistance networks, and through cultural and political organizing. Their victories shaped modern democracy and continue to serve as a blueprint for fighting authoritarianism today.
1. The Spanish Civil War (1936-1939)
One of the most defining antifascist struggles of the 20th century was the Spanish Civil War, where volunteers from across the world joined forces against Francisco Franco’s fascist coup.
Key antifascist forces included:
- The International Brigades, made up of thousands of volunteers from the U.S., UK, and Europe.
- The POUM (Workers’ Party of Marxist Unification) and CNT-FAI (Anarchist Federation), who fought for workers’ control.
- The Republican forces, which resisted Franco’s military uprising.
Despite their courage, Franco’s forces—backed by Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy—eventually took power in 1939. The war was seen as a prelude to World War II, demonstrating the global stakes of antifascist resistance.
2. The Resistance Movements of World War II
During World War II, antifascists played a crucial role in resisting the Axis powers. This included underground movements, armed partisans, and intelligence networks.
Key resistance movements:
- The French Resistance, which sabotaged Nazi operations and assisted Allied forces.
Read More on Britannica - The Polish Home Army, which fought against German occupation and led the Warsaw Uprising.
Read More on USHMM - The Yugoslav Partisans, a communist-led movement that liberated large parts of Yugoslavia from the Nazis.
Read More on Cambridge University Press
These groups not only harassed Axis forces and disrupted supply chains but also rescued prisoners, hid Jewish refugees, and assisted Allied armies. Their efforts were instrumental in defeating fascism in Europe.
3. Post-War Antifascism: The Fight Against Neo-Nazism
While the Axis was defeated in 1945, antifascists continued to fight against neo-Nazi groups and authoritarian movements that sought to rebuild fascist ideology.
Major post-war antifascist actions:
- The de-Nazification process in Germany, where Allied forces and German antifascists worked to dismantle Nazi infrastructure.
Read More on Deutsche Welle - The 1968 protests in Europe and the U.S., which saw antifascists combat far-right violence and government repression.
Read More on JSTOR - The rise of Antifa groups in the 1980s and 1990s, which targeted skinhead gangs, white supremacist groups, and far-right political parties.
Read More on The Atlantic
Today, antifascist organizations continue to monitor and resist far-right movements in an effort to prevent the resurgence of fascist ideology.
4. Modern-Day Antifascist Movements
In the 21st century, antifascists have mobilized against far-right extremism, state repression, and authoritarianism across the world.
Key modern antifascist movements:
- The anti-Trump resistance and counterprotests against white supremacist rallies in the U.S.
Read More on NPR - Protests against Bolsonaro’s authoritarianism in Brazil, led by antifascist youth movements.
Read More on Al Jazeera - Opposition to far-right parties in Europe, such as those in Hungary, Poland, and France.
Read More on Reuters
Conclusion
The history of antifascism is one of struggle, sacrifice, and resilience. From the Spanish Civil War to the modern fight against white supremacy, antifascists have worked tirelessly to prevent the spread of fascist ideology.
Today, as authoritarianism and far-right extremism rise once again, the lessons of the past remind us that antifascist action is both necessary and effective.
Stay vigilant. Stay organized. No platform for fascism.
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