Prequel investigates the interplay of American isolationism, antisemitism, and fascism, three movements that became increasingly intertwined in the lead-up to World War II. The text shows that isolationism became an acceptable cloak for extremist ideologies, merging with anti-Roosevelt sentiments to sway moderate US citizens toward policies that mirrored Nazi Germany’s interests. As the story unfolds, Maddow meticulously reveals that isolationism transcended a mere reluctance to engage in global conflicts; instead, it evolved into a vessel for explicitly antisemitic and fascist ideologies, which challenges the conventional understanding of this historical period in the US.

Leading up to World War II and in the initial years of the war, isolationism, coupled with anti-Roosevelt sentiments, became a more palatable way for extremists to express their views and convince more moderate US citizens to support policies that aligned with Nazi Germany’s agenda. Figures like Lawrence Dennis exercised a degree of plausible deniability as they professed to hold their isolationist views as separate from their support of fascism. Dennis even portrayed his isolationism as deeply American:

Lawrence Dennis was both an outspoken proponent of Hitler-style authoritarianism and an avowed isolationist, opposed to American involvement in foreign wars, especially any war in Europe against Hitler.