There was a darker side to American hero Charles Lindbergh—one that, had he cashed in on his fame in 1940 and run for the presidency, would have undoubtedly resulted in a much different course for the United States.
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September will also be a great month for some really enlightening conversations with historians and history personalities, including the September 13th conversation with podcast legend, Mr. Dan Carlin. You can check out the trailer for that show on our website at www.historyshortspodcast.com, and as always, the best way to support the show is to tell a friend. Also, I don't mind if you leave a review or a rating wherever you listen to this podcast, unless you don't like this show, then forget those things even exist. I hope you guys enjoyed this episode. Charles Lindbergh was an American aviator and military officer who became an international hero in 1927 for a solo nonstop flight across the Atlantic Ocean. Actually, as far as Americans were concerned, he was THE hero, akin to Captain America, or Superman. The kidnapping and murder of his two-year-old son in 1932 had also turned a wholesome young man into a tragic figure. However, there was a much darker side to Charles Lindbergh, one that had he cashed in on his fame in 1940 and ran for president, which would have undoubtedly resulted in a much different course for the United States history. I am your host, Peter Zoblaki, and this is History Shorts. Charles Lindbergh, the famed aviator who made history with a solo transatlantic flight in 1927, was a complex and controversial figure in American history. Beyond his aviation achievements, Lindbergh's political views and activities in the years leading up to World War II, including his views on Eugenics, his admiration for Germany and Adolf Hitler, and his role in the America First Committee have been subject of much scrutiny and debate, and definitely make it for an interesting what-if narrative. Lindbergh's political views were heavily influenced by the social and scientific currents of his time, particularly the Eugenics movement. Eugenics, which gained popularity in the early 20th century, was the pseudo-scientific belief in the improvement of the human race through selective breeding. Many proponents of Eugenics, including Lindbergh himself, believed that certain races and individuals were inherently superior to others, and that society should take steps to encourage the reproduction of the fittest while discouraging or preventing even the reproduction of the unfit. Lindbergh's own writings and speeches from the 1930s reflect his adherence to these very same ideas. He often spoke about the importance of maintaining the purity of the white race and expressed concern about the declining birth rates among people of European descent. Lindbergh's views on Eugenics were also intertwined with his broader beliefs about race and civilization. He believed that Western civilization, which he equated with the white European culture, was under threat from what he saw as the degenerative forces of racial mixing and the growing influence of non-European peoples, including Jews. These views were not uncommon among certain segments of American society at the time, particularly among the intellectual elite. However, Lindbergh's prominence as a national hero gave his opinions a far-reaching influence in his public statements on these very matters contributed to his grown reputation as a polarizing figure. As the 1930s progressed and the world moved closer to war, Lindbergh became increasingly vocal about his views on international affairs. He had spent considerable time in Europe during the late 1920s and 1930s, where he developed a deep admiration for Germany, which he also visited. Lindbergh was particularly impressed by Germany's technological advancements and the discipline of its military, which he viewed as a model for other nations. Lindbergh's admiration for Germany extended to the Nazi regime, which he saw as standing up against communism and a potential ally in the defense of Western civilization. He was particularly struck by the Luftwaffe, German's Air Force, and frequently praised its technological prowess in comparison to that of the Allied powers. Lindbergh's public praise of Germany coupled with his reluctance to criticize the Nazi regime and its human abuses led many to view him as a Nazi sympathizer. It also did not help that he publicly called Hitler "a visionary" and that Mrs. Lindbergh referred to Naziism as "a wave of the future." Lindbergh's views on the war were shaped by his deep-seated isolationism, a belief that the United States should avoid entanglements in European conflicts. He saw the war in Europe as a struggle between different branches of white races and believed that the United States had no interest in taking sides. Instead, Lindbergh advocated for a policy of non-intervention and argued that America should strengthen its own defenses to deter any potential threats to its security. There was one exception, however. According to historian Candice Fleming, the author of the rise and fall of Charles Lindbergh, if the United States was going to join Germany in its fight against the Russians and the Japanese, whom he deemed lesser races, that would have been something acceptable. In 1940, as a debate over American involvement in World War II intensified, Lindbergh became a leading figure in the America First Committee, or the AFC, the most prominent isolationist organization in the United States. The AFC was found in September of 1940, with a goal of preventing American entry into the war. The organization quickly gained widespread support, particularly in the Midwest, and counted many prominent Americans among its members. Lindbergh was the AFC's most famous spokesman, and his speeches drew large crowds across the country. In his addresses, Lindbergh argued that America's entry into the war would be a disaster and that the United States should focus on strengthening its own defenses. He claimed that the British and Jewish communities were pushing America towards war to serve their own interests, a statement that fueled accusations of anti-Semitism against them. One of Lindbergh's most infamous speeches delivered in Des Moines, Iowa, on September 11, 1941, accused the British, the Jewish, and the Roosevelt administration, of leading the United States towards war. The speech sparked outrage and further alienated Lindbergh from many of his former admirers. Critics now accused them of being unpatriotic and sympathetic to the Nazis, while supporters continued to still defend his isolationist stance as a principled stand against unnecessary foreign entanglements. The attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 and a subsequent declaration of war by the United States rendered the isolationist's position unattainable. The America First Committee disbanded shortly after, and Lindbergh, despite his earlier views, offered his services to the US military. He spent much of the war as a consultant and later as a combat pilot, you guessed it, in the Pacific Theater of War, never flying against the Germans. Still, flying missions with the United States Army Air Forces. So what if Lindbergh pushed his immense popularity leading up to the 1940 election, before the pilot's infamous Des Moines speech in 1941, and an election where FDR's unprecedented third term run was viewed by many Americans with skepticism. Now all of this is very speculative, but let us give it a go. I could see Lindbergh flying his private plane to his rallies and landing to cheering crowds, waving America first flags among a whole lot of red, white, and blue. In 1940, there was a significant support for isolationism across the United States. Many Americans indeed were deeply skeptical of getting involved in another European war, especially so soon after the trauma of World War I. So Lindbergh's staunch isolationist stance would have actually resonated with a very large portion of the electorate. Franklin D. Roosevelt's decision to run for an unprecedented third term in 1940 was also very controversial. America could have capitalized on anti- Roosevelt's sentiment, positioning himself as the candidate of change and renewal, promising to restore traditional American values and prevent the United States from being dragged into a war that many people did not want. He was also a celebrity and as we know, Americans really liked their celebrities. So let us just say for argument's sake, Lindbergh does run and he wins, becoming president. Now what? Firstly, America would not have entered the war against the Germans and thus would not have helped Britain or any other nations with the Landlies Act. That means that no ships, no arms, money, or etc. After all, Lindbergh often blamed the British in the speeches for dragging the US into unwanted conflict. This would have likely led to Britain losing the war to Nazi Germany, who instead would likely become America's newest economic ally. Fascism would have also likely taken hold in the United States, maybe even becoming one of the main political parties. While Lindbergh blamed the Jews for causing problems, he openly disagreed with the Nazi approach. Thus, I don't actually think he would have had any roundups or camps. Still, Lindbergh's racial beliefs and support for eugenics might have influenced his domestic policies. His administration would have likely implemented stricter immigration controls and promoted policies aimed at preserving racial purity. This might have all led to increased racial discrimination and possibly even state-sponsored eugenics programs. Additionally, Lindbergh's focus on military preparedness might have come at the expense of social welfare programs, leading to a rollback of new deal initiatives. Lindbergh's views on race and eugenics might have also likely delayed or even hindered or stopped completely the progress of the civil rights movement. As Candace Fleming pointed out, there would have also been no free press under Lindbergh presidency. The media made Lindbergh a worldwide sensation, but following his son's death, the resulting media circus had a lasting impact. William Randolph Hearst's papers paid for the perpetrator's attorney in return for the exclusive story rights, and people sold miniature souvenirs called Lindbergh Ladders mimicking the one the kidnapper used in the kidnapping that led to Lindbergh's two-year-old's death. All of this led to a deep loathing for the media within Lindbergh, and a more controlled media would certainly have appealed to him. Can you imagine a Lindbergh presidency? I guess we dodged a bullet there. Anyway, thanks for listening guys, I'll talk to you tomorrow, and I hope you check out next month's History's Greatest Mysteries Saturday Weeknd Series. So far we've surveyed the collapse of Roman rule in Britain, the migration of the Anglo-Saxons, and the history of Northumbria from its beginnings in the mists of legend to its destruction at the hands of Viking raiders in the 9th century. I hope you'll come and give it a go. [MUSIC PLAYING]
