Former President Donald Trump held an election rally at Madison Square Garden on 27th October 2024. Several commentators and news outlets commented on its similarities with the “Night at the Garden” in February 1939 when American fascists pledged their support to “Make America Great Again” while celebrating the birthday of George Washington. The American German Bund pledged loyalty to Hitler and Nazi Germany. Trump’s 80 minute speech recalled several of the 1939 themes including the strong rejection of immigrants. Nine days after the Trump rally he was elected President for his second (non-consecutive) term.
- Night at the Garden, 7 minute short film about the Feb 1939 Madison Square Garden fascist rally, directed by Marshall Curry, nominated for Best Documentary Short Subject for the 2019 Academy Awards. (Youtube)
- The Forever War, America’s Unending Conflict With Itself, 2024, Viking, Nick Bryant, ISBN 9781761048623
- USA 1939 context for the fascist rally at MSG in New York and the anti fascist protests generated by the rally
- Key features of the 1939 Rally
- Key features of the 2024 Trump Rally
- Similarities and differences regarding the two rallies 85 years apart
By the end of this course students should be able to
- Discuss why fascism was so appealing to Americans in the 1930s and the circumstances which led to the Night in the Garden in 1939 in New York
- Explain the similarities and differences between the Nazi movement in Germany and the fascist groups in the USA in the 1930s
- Compare and contrast the 1939 rally in Madison Square Garden with the Donald Trump rally at the very same venue in 2024
