New Books in Jewish Studies Paula Oppermann, "Thunder Cross: Fascist Antisemitism in Twentieth-Century Latvia" (U Wisconsin Press, 2025)
Oct 29, 2025
Paula Oppermann, a Holocaust historian and researcher at the Historische Kommission, Berlin, discusses her book on the Pērkonkrusts, Latvia’s prominent right-wing party from the 1930s. She explores the party's radical antisemitism, influences from 19th-century nationalism, and public perception, revealing how the movement adapted and persisted despite political changes. Oppermann delves into the tragic events of the 1932 pogrom and the group’s collaboration during the Holocaust, shedding light on the enduring legacy of Latvian fascism and its complex relationship with antisemitism.
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Latvian Fascism Embraced Classic Tropes
- Thunder Cross adopted classic fascist features like uniforms, violence, and a 'new man' ideology rooted in ethnic purity.
- The movement framed Latvia as an ethnically homogeneous community and blamed Jews for cultural decline and modern ills.
Symbolism Masked External Influences
- Thunder Cross avoided overtly calling itself 'fascist' because German symbols and associations were unpopular in Latvia.
- They used Latvian folklore symbols resembling the swastika to signal affiliation while preserving deniability.
Anti‑Semitism Rooted In Ethnic Nationalism
- Anti-Semitism in Latvia grew from ethnic nationalism and was mainstreamed by respected public figures and media.
- Early nationalist discourse framed Jews as a distinct, disloyal group and later associated them with Bolshevism.
