Meet Antifa: Formerly Known as the Badasses Who Stopped Hitler

If opposing fascism is “domestic terrorism,” then democracy is already on trial

War Effort Stand Firm (Lion) (1939–1946) chromolithograph by Tom Purvis | Public Domain

In April 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt sent the most politely absurd letter in human history. In it, he asked Adolf Hitler — very nicely — not to attack thirty-one countries. No threats, no consequences. Just the moral equivalent of a Dear Herr Hitler, could you please not?

Roosevelt initially tried to stay out of Germany’s affairs. Now, he could no longer ignore the heat coming from across the Atlantic. Hitler had already rolled into Austria, swallowed Czechoslovakia, and started rounding up Jews in what would become humanity’s most infamous atrocity. Europe was on fire. But Roosevelt, ever the optimist, still thought a nicely worded request for peace might help. Just adorable.

When the letter arrived in Germany, it was treated less like a diplomatic correspondence and more like open-mic night at the Reichstag. With red banners fluttering and the Nazi eagle looming overhead, Hitler took the stage at the Kroll Opera House. He then began reading Roosevelt’s shopping list of “independent nations” on the “please don’t invade” list.

“Poland,” he said. The Nazis tittered.