Ultra: The Prequel

As we begin this journey into a lesser-known chapter of American history, we encounter the shadowy figures who sowed the seeds of fascism on U.S. soil. One such figure was George Sylvester Viereck, a German immigrant whose literary talents masked a far more dangerous role as a Nazi propagandist. Born in Munich and arriving in America as a boy, Viereck’s early ambitions were steeped in art and literature, even pioneering the first known gay vampire novel. Yet beneath this veneer lay a man deeply committed to advancing the cause of his fatherland, even at the cost of American democracy.

Viereck’s writings and magazines were used as conduits for German government propaganda, funded handsomely to influence American public opinion during the turbulent years between the world wars. His efforts revealed how foreign powers could exploit the freedoms of the American press to undermine the nation from within.

Alongside Viereck was Philip Johnson, a wealthy and restless Harvard graduate who admired Hitler’s charisma and pageantry. Johnson’s fascination led him to found the Gray Shirts, a fascist group inspired by the Nazi Brownshirts, and to dream of bringing Hitler-style rule to America. His architectural career would later eclipse these youthful ambitions, but his early political flirtations reveal the cultural allure fascism held for some in the 1930s.

These two men, among others, exemplify the complex and often hidden ways fascist ideology took root in America, blending art, politics, and propaganda into a potent mix. Understanding their stories helps us see how fragile democratic institutions can be when confronted with charismatic authoritarianism and covert foreign influence.

As we move forward, we will explore the broader movements and organizations that embodied these dangerous ideas and how they sought to reshape American society.