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Oswald Mosley
23quotes
Oswald Mosley: A Life of Controversy and Fascist Ideology
Full Name and Common Aliases
Oswald Ernald Mosley was born on November 16, 1896, in Mayfair, London. He is commonly referred to as Oswald Mosley.
Birth and Death Dates
Mosley was born on November 16, 1896, and passed away on December 3, 1980.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Oswald Mosley held British nationality throughout his life. His profession varied during different periods of his life; he served as a Member of Parliament (MP), an officer in the British Army during World War I, and later became a fascist leader and politician.
Early Life and Background
Mosley was born into a wealthy family and educated at Harrow School before attending New College, Oxford. He developed an interest in politics early on and joined the Labour Party, becoming involved with various socialist organizations while studying at university. After graduating from Oxford, Mosley enlisted in the British Army to fight in World War I.
Major Accomplishments
Mosley's time as a politician was marked by several significant events:
In 1918, he became the youngest MP ever elected to serve in Parliament at that time.
Mosley then served as an Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies from 1929 to 1932 and later as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster from 1937 to 1938.
Notable Works or Actions
As a prominent figure within the fascist movement in Britain, Mosley's actions were often controversial:
He founded the British Union of Fascists (BUF) in 1932.
In 1934, Mosley changed the name of his organization to the British Union, but it continued to advocate for fascist policies and was eventually banned by the British government in 1940.
Impact and Legacy
Mosley's impact on British history is a subject of ongoing debate. His involvement with fascist ideologies led to significant controversy during World War II:
Following the outbreak of war, Mosley was imprisoned under the Emergency Powers Act for inciting racial hatred.
He spent several years in prison before being released after Germany's defeat.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Oswald Mosley is often remembered for his advocacy of fascist policies and his leadership role within the BUF. His legacy continues to be a topic of discussion among historians, with some viewing him as a key figure in British extremist movements and others seeing him as a misunderstood politician who attempted to bring order to a chaotic society.
Despite his involvement with contentious ideologies, Mosley's life serves as a reminder of the complexities of history and the often-blurred lines between right-wing extremism and mainstream politics.
Quotes by Oswald Mosley
Oswald Mosley's insights on:
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Naturally we believe in our own race. Any man or woman worth anything believes in his own race as he believes in his own family. But because you believe in your own race or in your own family doesn’t mean you want to injure other races or other families.
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Anyone who knows how difficult it is to keep a secret among three men – particularly if they are married – knows how absurd is the idea of a worldwide secret conspiracy consciously controlling all mankind by its financial power; in real, clear analysis.
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Faced with the alternative of saying goodbye to the gold standard, and therefore to his own employment, and goodbye to other people’s employment, Mr. Churchill characteristically selected the latter course.
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Those who march with us will certainly face abuse, misunderstanding, bitter animosity, and possibly the ferocity of struggle and of danger. In return, we can only offer to them the deep belief that they are fighting that a great land may live.
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Fascism was an explosion against intolerable conditions, against remediable wrongs which the old world failed to remedy. It was a movement to secure national renaissance by people who felt themselves threatened with decline into decadence and death and were determined to live, and live greatly.
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Together in Britain we have lit a flame that the ages shall not extinguish. Guard that sacred flame my brother Blackshirts until it illuminates Britain and lights again the Paths of Mankind.
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Ideas in a void have never appealed to me; action must follow thought or political life is meaningless.
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We have lost the good old British spirit. Instead we have American journalism and black-shirted buffoons making a cheap imitation of ice-cream sellers.
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the old axiom that 'all power corrupts' has doubtful validity, because it derives from our neglect of Plato 's advice to find men carefully and train them by methods which make them fit for heroes.
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