Oswald Mosley

British aristocrat and fascist politician (1896-1980)

Oswald Mosley was a British politician who started out in mainstream politics, but later became disillusioned and turned to fascism, founding the British Union of Fascists (BUF). He was imprisoned during World War II, and after his release, he continued to advocate for Pan-European nationalism and Holocaust denial.

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About the Oswald Mosley

Sir Oswald Ernald Mosley, 6th Baronetin 1932. As leader, he publicly espoused antisemitism and sought alliances with other fascist leaders such as Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler. Fascist violence under Mosley’s leadership culminated in the 1936 Battle of Cable Street, during which anti-fascist demonstrators including trade unionists, liberals, socialists, communists, anarchists, and British Jews prevented the BUF from marching through London’s East End. Mosley subsequently held a series of rallies around London, and the BUF increased its membership there.

Mosley was imprisoned in May 1940, after the outbreak of the Second World War, and the BUF was banned. He was released in 1943 and, politically disgraced by his association with fascism, moved abroad in 1951, spending most of the remainder of his life in Paris and two residences in Ireland. He stood for Parliament during the post-war era but received very little support. During this period he was an advocate of Pan-European nationalism, developing the Europe a Nation ideology, and was an early proponent of Holocaust denial conspiracy theories.

Frequently Asked Questions

Oswald Mosley was a British politician who rose to prominence in the 1920s and 1930s. He started out as a member of parliament, representing Harrow and later Smethwick, before becoming disillusioned with mainstream politics and turning to fascism.

Oswald Mosley was initially a member of parliament, representing Harrow as a Conservative and then an independent before joining the Labour Party. He served as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster in the Labour government of 1929-1931 before resigning due to discord with the government’s unemployment policies.

Oswald Mosley founded and led the British Union of Fascists (BUF) in 1932. The BUF publicly espoused antisemitism and sought alliances with other fascist leaders like Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler.

The Battle of Cable Street in 1936 was a confrontation between anti-fascist demonstrators and Oswald Mosley’s BUF, who were seeking to march through London’s East End. The anti-fascist demonstrators, including trade unionists, socialists, and British Jews, successfully prevented the BUF from marching.

Oswald Mosley was imprisoned in 1940 after the outbreak of World War II, and the BUF was banned. He was released in 1943 and, politically disgraced by his association with fascism, moved abroad in 1951, spending most of the remainder of his life in Paris and Ireland.

During the post-war era, Oswald Mosley was an advocate of Pan-European nationalism, developing the Europe a Nation ideology, and was an early proponent of Holocaust denial conspiracy theories.

Yes, Oswald Mosley stood for Parliament during the post-war era, but received very little support, as he was politically disgraced by his association with fascism.