Back in 1945, while American soldiers were dodging bullets and defeating dictators, the U.S. War Department handed out a surprisingly readable little pamphlet called Army Talk Orientation Fact Sheet #64 – Fascism!
It was designed to help GIs understand what they were fighting against—and more importantly, how to spot fascism if it ever tried to sneak in through the back door wearing a red, white, and blue trucker hat.
Today, almost 80 years later, it’s worth dusting off that pamphlet. Because it reads less like a history lesson and more like a checklist.
So, What Is Fascism?
In plain terms, the pamphlet says fascism is:
The opposite of democracy
Government by the few and for the few
Maintained through fear, propaganda, and violence
A system that always—eventually—leads to war
In short: it’s like democracy’s evil twin that skipped civics class, but aced gaslighting and authoritarianism.
Fascism tells you it’ll solve all your problems. It also tells you who to blame. Spoiler alert: it’s never the rich and powerful—it’s usually “the other.”
How Fascism Gets a Foot in the Door
Fascism doesn’t knock politely. It slithers in during hard times—economic crises, cultural unrest, and political gridlock. People get scared, and fear is fertile ground for false promises.
The pamphlet says fascists win support by offering everything to everyone:
Jobs for the working class,
Power to small business owners,
Profits for corporations,
Glory for the nation.
Think of it like a political infomercial:
“Are you broke, angry, and confused? Try Fascism™—now with 50% more scapegoats!”
Of course, the minute they seize power, the real plan kicks in: silence the opposition, crush the free press, and funnel wealth upward like it’s a gravity-defying magic trick.
Recognizing Fascist Tactics—Then and Now
Here’s where the 1945 document gets downright spooky.
1. Divide and Conquer
The pamphlet says fascists “pit religious, racial, and economic groups against each other” to break national unity. Sound familiar?
In the U.S. today:
Anti-immigrant rhetoric is a political strategy.
Books are being banned.
Whole communities are blamed for crime, inflation, or whatever’s trending on cable news.
It’s like watching history do a rerun—with a worse wardrobe.
2. Patriotism with a Side of Paranoia
According to the pamphlet, American fascism wouldn’t show up goose-stepping or wearing brown shirts. It would be dressed in stars and stripes, calling itself “super-American.”
Instead of yelling “Sieg Heil,” it might shout “Real America!” or “Only we can fix it!” It would talk about “taking back our country” while quietly working to control it from the top down.
And yes, it would absolutely accuse everyone else of being a communist.
3. Scapegoats Are Mandatory
No fascist movement is complete without a good scapegoat—or twelve.
Back then: Jews, communists, labor unions.
Today: teachers, immigrants, LGBTQ+ folks, Black voters, “woke corporations,” drag queens, and anyone who owns more than one NPR tote bag.
The pattern hasn’t changed. Just the targets.
Fascism = War, Eventually
The pamphlet makes it clear: fascist economies are built on war. Since the people can’t afford to buy their own products, the leaders start looking for new markets—by force.
That means building a war machine, glorifying violence, and convincing people that the only path to greatness is through conquest.
It’s not just scary—it’s stupidly expensive.
Could It Happen Here?
A question the pamphlet asks outright: Can fascism happen in the United States?
The answer: Yep. And here’s the kicker—it already tried.
In 1944, thirty Americans were indicted for conspiring with the Nazis to undermine U.S. military morale. We’ve had homegrown fascists before, and we’ve still got them today—only now they’ve got podcasts and Super PACs.
The pamphlet warns that fascism will disguise itself as freedom and cloak itself in Christianity and capitalism. It’ll call itself “common sense” and tell you it’s protecting your way of life—even as it quietly dismantles your rights.
Fascism’s Favorite Tricks (Still in Use)
Divide people using race, religion, or social class
Claim moral superiority while eroding basic rights
Demonize journalists, minorities, and educators
Spread disinformation while shouting about “fake news”
If your political movement sounds like a rejected plot from a George Orwell novel, maybe it’s not about “liberty” after all.
How to Stop It
The 1945 pamphlet ends with this: the best way to defeat fascism isn’t with tanks—it’s with working democracy.
That means:
Staying informed (not just by memes).
Voting—especially in local elections.
Holding leaders accountable.
Defending the rights of all people, even those we disagree with.
It also means understanding that apathy is fascism’s best friend. When people stop caring, stop voting, or stop paying attention—bad actors step in. Loud ones. With tiki torches.
Final Thought: If You’re Waiting for Goose-Stepping, You’re Already Late
Fascism doesn’t arrive yelling “Surprise!” It creeps in with slogans, misinformation, and a promise to “protect you.” By the time you realize what’s happening, it’s calling the shots—and rewriting the rules.
We’ve been warned. In fact, we were warned 80 years ago—by our own government, in plain language, to young soldiers who knew firsthand what fascism looked like.
The only question now is whether we’re still paying attention.
📚 Be sure to read the full article at the end of the blog post.
It’s a chilling and timely government-issued document that every American should read at least once.
Original Pamphlet: Army Talk Orientation Fact Sheet #64 (1945)
Text Version: Army Talk Orientation Fact Sheet #64 (1945)