George Lincoln Rockwell (1918-1967) was an American far-right political activist and the founder of the American Nazi Party. He is best known for his espousal of white supremacist ideologies and his staunch advocacy of racial segregation.
Born in Bloomington, Illinois, Rockwell grew up during the Great Depression and served in the United States Navy during World War II. Following his military service, he became disenchanted with the political landscape of the United States, perceiving what he believed to be the erosion of the American way of life and the alleged degradation of the white race. In 1959, Rockwell established the American Nazi Party, channeling his extremist views through this organization.
Rockwell's ideology was centered around white racial superiority, aiming to establish an authoritarian white ethnostate in America. He viewed Jews as the primary cause of what he saw as the decline of Western civilization and blamed non-white ethnic groups for undermining the white race. Rockwell utilized provocative propaganda, including parades and demonstrations, to promote his white supremacist agenda.
His influence, while initially limited, gained momentum during the civil rights movement of the 1960s, as his extremist views found resonance among some disenchanted segments of society. Rockwell's tenure as the leader of the American Nazi Party came to an abrupt end when he was assassinated in 1967 by a former member of his own organization.
Despite his controversial and widely condemned beliefs, George Lincoln Rockwell is significant as a historical figure, illustrating the danger and impact of extremist ideologies within society.
