British Antifascist Communities of Activism Since 1945

Abstract

Antifascism has regularly been typecast as a form of action which only includes militancy and violence and does not seek to diversify its tactics when combatting fascism. This article highlights that throughout the twentieth century in Britain, militant antifascists have repeatedly worked with more moderate and liberal groups in order to develop a wider repertoire of ways and means to fight those they deem fascist. After the Second World War, organisations such as the 43 Group developed political aims in order to work towards their main aim of combatting the far right on the streets. In additional to this, this article shows the ways in which many groups ‘pivoted’ to other forms of campaigning to support the dominant campaign of the day, whilst still maintaining antifascist activism, thereby creating new networks and communities of activism.