America’s Private Militias – Part II

Intro.: A Moment in Time with Dan Roberts.

Content: There is long tradition running through American history of groups willing to take the law in their own hands. Concerned about trends in society which they feel powerless to control, these groups have resorted to intimidation and violence. They usually operate on the extreme fringe of either side of the political spectrum but the ultra-right has the strongest tradition of political terrorism in America. During the late 1930s numerous fascist, anti-semitic groups flourished. Among the most dangerous was the Christian Front. The Front was founded by radio personality Father Charles E. Coughlin. This Roman Catholic priest had been radicalized by the Spanish Civil War which he saw as struggle to the death between Christian forces led by General Franco and the loyalist government backed by Jewish communists. He told his listeners they should form an armed Christian Front against the Red Front.