The Women of the Arrow Cross Party: Invisible Hungarian Perpetrators in the Second World War

This book explores the actions, backgrounds, connections, and trials of Hungarian female perpetrators of the Second World War through the concept of invisibility. It argues that due to their invisibility, their legacy could remain alive during state socialism and has contributed to the recent resurgence of far-right politics in Hungary.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 96 pages
Publication date: 04 September 2021
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This book delves into a comprehensive analysis of the actions, backgrounds, connections, and trials of Hungarian female perpetrators during the Second World War. Through the lens of invisibility, it explores the reasons and extent to which far-right women, including several Second World War perpetrators, were rendered invisible by their fellow Arrow Cross Party members in the 1930s and during the war (1939-1945). Furthermore, it examines how the Hungarian peoples tribunals responsible for purging war criminals (1945-1949) further contributed to their invisibility. The book argues that the invisibility of these women allowed their legacy to persist throughout the years of state socialism, and it has actively played a role in the recent resurgence of far-right politics in Hungary. Consequently, this book examines the interconnectedness of invisibility with twenty-first century memory politics and the ongoing presence of far-right movements.

Introduction:
The Second World War witnessed the involvement of women in various roles, including as perpetrators of war crimes. While the narratives surrounding female perpetrators have often been marginalized or overlooked, this book aims to shed light on their experiences and contributions to the war effort. By examining the concept of invisibility, the book seeks to understand why and how these women were made invisible by their fellow Arrow Cross Party members in the 1930s and during the war, as well as by the Hungarian peoples tribunals responsible for purging war criminals.

The Actions, Backgrounds, Connections, and Trials of Hungarian Female Perpetrators:
The book delves into the actions, backgrounds, connections, and trials of Hungarian female perpetrators during the Second World War. It explores the various roles that these women played, including as nurses, guards, and perpetrators of war crimes. It also examines the social and political context in which these women operated, including the rise of fascism, the persecution of Jews, and the collaboration with **** Germany.

Invisibility and the Legacy of Hungarian Female Perpetrators:
The book argues that the invisibility of Hungarian female perpetrators is connected to the legacy of state socialism and the present-day resurgence of far-right movements. It explores how the legacy of these women has been erased or ignored by mainstream historiography and how it has been resurrected by far-right groups and politicians in Hungary. The book also examines how the invisibility of these women has impacted their descendants and the broader society.

Memory Politics and the Resurgence of Far-Right Movements:
The book further examines the interconnectedness of invisibility with twenty-first century memory politics and the present-day resurgence of far-right movements. It explores how memory plays a crucial role in shaping societal attitudes and beliefs, and how the invisibility of Hungarian female perpetrators has been used to justify and normalize far-right ideologies. The book also examines the challenges faced by those who seek to commemorate and acknowledge the legacy of these women and the importance of challenging the narratives of invisibility.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, this book provides a comprehensive analysis of the actions, backgrounds, connections, and trials of Hungarian female perpetrators during the Second World War. It sheds light on the ways in which these women were made invisible by their fellow Arrow Cross Party members and the Hungarian peoples tribunals, and it explores the implications of this invisibility for twenty-first century memory politics and the resurgence of far-right movements. The book calls for a more inclusive and nuanced understanding of the history of the Second World War, including the contributions of female perpetrators, and for efforts to commemorate and acknowledge their legacy.

Weight: 155g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030512279
Edition number: 1st ed. 2020