George Lincoln Rockwell | |
|---|---|
.jpg) George Lincoln Rockwell, at a hearing of the House Un-American Activities Committee, 1963 | |
| 1st Commander of the American Nazi Party | |
| In office March 1959 – August 25, 1967 | |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Matthias Koehl |
| 1st Leader of the World Union of National Socialists | |
| In office 1962 – August 25, 1967 | |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Matthias Koehl |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 9, 1918 Bloomington, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | August 25, 1967 (aged 49) Arlington County, Virginia, U.S. |
| Manner of death | Assassination by gunshot |
| Political party | American Nazi Party |
| Spouses |
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| Children | 7 |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1941–1960 |
| Rank | Commander |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards |
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| Part of a series on |
| Antisemitism |
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George Lincoln Rockwell (March 9, 1918 – August 25, 1967) was an American Neo-Nazi activist. Rockwell founded the American Nazi Party in 1959 and became the self-styled leader of Neo-Nazism in the United States.[1]
His beliefs, strategies, and writings have continued to influence many white supremacists and Neo-Nazis. Born in Bloomington, Illinois, Rockwell briefly studied philosophy at Brown University before dropping out to join the Navy. He trained as a pilot and served in World War II and the Korean War in non-combat roles, achieving the rank of Commander. Rockwell's politics grew more radical and vocal in the 1950s, and he was honorably discharged due to his views in 1960.
In politics, he regularly praised Adolf Hitler, referring to him as the "White Savior of the twentieth century".[2]: 10 He denied the Holocaust and believed that Martin Luther King Jr. was a tool for Jewish communists desiring to rule the white community. He blamed the civil rights movement on Jews, and viewed most of them as traitors.[2] He viewed black people as a primitive, lethargic race who desired only simple pleasures and a life of irresponsibility, and supported the resettlement of all African Americans in a new African state to be funded by the U.S. government.[2] As a supporter of racial segregation and white separatism, he agreed with and quoted many leaders of the Black separatism movement such as Elijah Muhammad and early Malcolm X.[3][4] In his later years, Rockwell became increasingly aligned with other Neo-Nazi groups, leading the World Union of National Socialists.
On August 25, 1967, Rockwell was shot and killed in Arlington by John Patler, a former party member expelled by Rockwell for alleged "Bolshevik leanings".[5]
- ^ Nicholas Goodrick-Clarke (2003). Black Sun: Aryan Cults, Esoteric Nazism, and the Politics of Identity. NYU Press. pp. 7–8. ISBN 9780814731550.
- ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference
Goodrickwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
portablewas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "When Malcolm X Met the Nazis". www.vice.com. April 16, 2015. Retrieved 2022-05-13.
- ^ "Killer of American Nazi Chief Paroled". St. Joseph News-Press. August 23, 1975. Retrieved December 3, 2021.