Anti-fascism

Anti-fascism is the opposition to fascist ideologies, organizations, governments and people. Another term for anti-fascism (or anti-fascists) is antifa. Most major resistance movements during World War II were anti-fascist. There are two broad positions within the anti-fascism movement: militant anti-fascism and liberal anti-fascism.

The term antifa derives from Antifaschismus, which is German for anti-fascism. It refers to individuals and groups that are dedicated to fighting fascism, and some anti-fascist groups include the word antifa in their name. During the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s, the Soviet Union sponsored various anti-fascist groups, usually using the name antifa. Prisoners of war captured by the Soviets during the Eastern Front campaign of World War II were encouraged to undertake antifa training. In contemporary times, the term antifa is used almost exclusively by left-wing groups.