French Fascism and the Croix de Feu: A Dissenting Interpretation

Abstract

Although scholars have differed fundamentally in their interpretations of both German and Italian fascism, the study of French fascism has been a less contested field. Most historians who have written on French fascism agree that it lacked popular support and was limited to a few marginal political movements.' A major exception is Zeev Sternhell, who has argued that fascist ideas had a widespread appeal in France, especially in intellectual circles, from the 1880s onward. Sternhell agrees with most French scholars, however, that fascism in France was sharply at odds with traditional French conservatism. Although he states that it was 'neither right nor left' but a combination of both, he portrays it as largely inspired by 'revolutionary', 'anti-bourgeois' intellectuals who sought to 'revise' Marxism. In brief, French fascism has been described as either limited to a few insignificant fringe groups or, if more pervasive than that, primarily the work of non-conformist left-wing intellectuals. To demonstrate, even partially, that the Croix de Feu was fascist would throw into question both of these interpretations. Colonel de