Extremism in the United States presents students with a collection of articles that chronicle the development of violent white supremacist extremism in the United States from the Know-Nothing era to the January 6 insurrection. The book examines how right-wing groups mobilized in the last half of the 20th century to become a strong negative influence upon American society.
The opening unit discusses the diversity of extremism in America and in the world, and how extremism has changed over time. Proceeding units examine the American Eugenics Movement; the mobilization of white supremacy through Neo-Nazis, Skinheads, and militiamen; the rise of the Alt-Right in the United States; and strategies for resisting extremism in the 21st century. In closing units, students read articles on lone wolf offenders, internet radicalization, and ways to combat white supremacist violence in the future.
A timely and contemporary resource, Extremism in the United States is an ideal textbook for courses in sociology, criminal justice, and terrorism.