First Advisor

David A. Horowitz

Term of Graduation

Spring 1988

Date of Publication

5-4-1988

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (M.A.) in History

Department

History

Language

English

Subjects

Grace Wick (1888-1958), Radicals -- United States -- Biography, Actresses -- United States -- Biography, Right and left (Political science)

DOI

10.15760/etd.5673

Physical Description

1 online resource (3, 123 pages)

Abstract

"Grace Wick: Portrait of a Right-Wing Extremist" is a biography of an American woman who lived between 1888 and 1958. Wick grew up in a small midwestern town, but as a young woman broke away from small town tradition by moving to the city to pursue a career as an actress in the theater and in silent movies. In the course of her acting career she traveled across North America and had the opportunity to associate with people from all walks of life. As an actress, she was able to achieve an autonomy enjoyed by few women during the 1910s and early 1920s. She also developed into a political activist, organizing campaign rallies for candidates, crusading to extend women's freedom, and was an active participant in mainline politics. However, as a middle-aged woman during the late 1930s, Wick developed a narrow focus on life, becoming involved with right-wing, pro-America organizations. By the 1940s she had become outspoken against immigrants and Jews and was actively distributing nativist, anti-Semitic propaganda. The thesis poses and suggests answers to the question of why a woman who had spent a number of years in the city, and in a career which afforded her the opportunity to gain a cosmopolitan view of the world, followed a course toward nativism and right-wing extremism in her later years.

Research within the Oregon State Historical Library collection of Wick's personal documents and correspondence provided a look at her life, as well as clues as to why she adopted right-wing extremist attitudes. Secondary sources provided knowledge of the culture, politics and personalities of the era in which Wick lived. Through a broad view of the period it became easier to understand why she turned to pro-America, anti-immigrant and antisemitic groups for support. During the Depression years of the 1930s Wick found herself overwhelmed by conditions beyond her control--economic deprivation, United States involvement in foreign affairs (at what she felt was at the expense of its native citizens), and her role as a woman within a male dominated society. In her anxiety over her own and the nation's problems, Wick turned to her traditional, Protestant Christian, rural roots for support. Still unable to resolve her dilemma, she gradually lost touch with ordinary Americans and became a victim of hate-group psychology. During the 1940s and 1950s, all the energy she had become focused upon crusades against the immigrants and Jews. Ironically, much of her ideological belief and practical activity now brought her closer to European-style fascism, which was also a reaction to the problems of rapid change. Grace Wick's life provides a sad but informative study in the dynamics of political and social alienation.

Rights

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Comments

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Persistent Identifier

https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/21208

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