The First Fascist

In the nineteenth century in France, a noteworthy figure emerged, long before Mussolini was on the scene. The Marquis de Mores emerged as a pioneering figure in populist and openly antisemitic leadership in the Western world. He played a significant role in the Dreyfus affair, causing deep divisions in France with his incendiary media tactics and aggressive actions. This persona was instrumental in setting the stage for the rise of fascist politics that characterized the twentieth century. Sergio Luzzatto, an acclaimed historian, delves into the largely forgotten narrative of this early fascist innovator. He chronicles how Mores, stripped of his aristocratic status in the evolving democracy of France, embarked on a variety of ventures, from managing a cattle ranch on the American frontier to attempting to construct a railway in the Indochinese jungles—all of which met with failure. Mores, attributing his setbacks to alleged Jewish conspiracies, withdrew to France and soon commanded a significant, combative worker militia. Although his swift political ascent was thwarted by a widely publicized financial scandal, his influence persisted. Even during the Vichy regime, as Jewish individuals were being deported to Auschwitz, his legacy was commemorated by officials. "The First Fascist" by Sergio Luzzatto provides a gripping and disturbing account of the origins of some of today's societal tensions.