William Joyce pt.1: How a British Patriot Became a Nazi Traitor

This double episode explores the life of William Joyce, better known as Lord Haw-Haw, the infamous Nazi propagandist who went from self-described British patriot to one of the most notorious collaborators of the Third Reich during World War II.In this first part of the story, James - with the help of Jayne Friend - examines William Joyce's early life, political radicalization, and rise within Britain's fascist movement. From his upbringing in Ireland during the Irish War of Independence to his involvement with the British Fascisti and the British Union of Fascists, the episode traces how Joyce's intense nationalism, anti-communism, and growing admiration for Adolf Hitler pushed him into aligning himself with the Third Reich. The discussion also explores the political climate of interwar Britain, the decline of British fascism, and the events that set Joyce on the path toward becoming Lord Haw-Haw.What's covered in this episodeWilliam Joyce's childhood in Galway, Ireland, his unionist family background, and how the Irish War of Independence shaped his political beliefs.Joyce's support for the British Empire, his association with the Black and Tans, and his hostility toward Irish republicanism and Sinn Féin.The myths and realities surrounding Joyce's early years, including stories about scouting, military service, and his reputation among classmates and British forces.His move to England after the partition of Ireland and his unsuccessful attempt to build a career in the British Army.Joyce's studies at Birkbeck College in London, his work teaching colonial students, and his failed ambitions in government service and the Foreign Office.How Joyce developed into a gifted public speaker and political agitator during the 1920s.The rise of the British Fascisti, the role of Maxwell Knight's K Squad, and violent confrontations between fascists and communists in London.The 1924 Battersea political rally where Joyce received the facial scar that became one of his defining features.The growth of anti-Semitism within sections of the British far right and the influence of figures such as Arnold Leese and Henry Hamilton Beamish.Joyce's rise within Oswald Mosley's British Union of Fascists (BUF), including his roles as deputy leader and head of propaganda.The rivalry between William Joyce and Oswald Mosley and why some fascists viewed Joyce as the movement's most powerful speaker.Joyce's personal life, including his marriages to Hazel Barr and Margaret Cairns White, and how his political career affected his relationships.The significance of the Battle of Cable Street in 1936 and its impact on the fortunes of the British Union of Fascists.How the actions of Benito Mussolini in Abyssinia (Ethiopia) and Adolf Hitler in the Rhineland damaged the public image of fascism in Britain.Why Joyce broke with Mosley, embraced National Socialism more openly, founded the National Socialist League, and increasingly aligned himself with Nazi Germany.The ideological contradictions behind Joyce's claim to patriotism and the reasons he came to see service to the Third Reich as compatible with loyalty to Britain.Mentioned in this episodeWilliam Joyce, Lord Haw-Haw, Adolf Hitler, Third Reich, Second World War, World War II, History's Devils, Jayne, Galway, Ireland, British Empire, Act of Union 1801, Irish War of Independence, Sinn Féin, Dáil Éireann, Irish republicanism, Irish Free State, Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Royal Irish Constabulary, British Army, Black and Tans, IRA, Worcestershire, Birkbeck College, Foreign Office, British Fascisti, Rotha Lintorn-Orman, Maxwell Knight, K Squad, Communist Party of Great Britain, Battersea, anti-Semitism, Arnold Leese, Henry Hamilton Beamish, The Britons, National Socialism, Oswald Mosley, British Union of Fascists, BUF, Olympia Rally, Battle of Cable Street, East London, Mussolini, Abyssinia, Ethiopia, mustard gas, Rhineland, Treaty of Versailles, National Socialist League, fascism, British fascism, propaganda, political extremism, nationalism, unionism, anti-communism, imperialism, British far right, radicalization, patriotism, collaboration, Nazi Germany. Chapters00:00 Chapter 1 — Who Was William Joyce? The Story of Lord Haw-Haw Begins04:12 Chapter 2 — William Joyce's Childhood in Ireland and Unionist Upbringing09:30 Chapter 3 — The Irish War of Independence and Joyce's Support for the Black and Tans17:17 Chapter 4 — Leaving Ireland: Military Failure and a New Life in England18:34 Chapter 5 — Birkbeck College, Teaching, and Political Ambition23:23 Chapter 6 — William Joyce Discovers Fascism26:06 Chapter 7 — The Scar, Anti-Semitism, and Radicalization30:31 Chapter 8 — Oswald Mosley, the British Union of Fascists, and the Rise of a Fascist Star34:24 Chapter 9 — Marriage, Affairs, and Life Behind the Fascist Image39:08 Chapter 10 — The Battle of Cable Street, the Decline of British Fascism, and Joyce's Break with Britain#britishhistory #fascismThanks to SOULFULJAMTRACKS for their tune "Dark Halloween"Follow HISTORY's DEVILS On Instagram @historysdevilshttps://www.instagram.com/historysdevils/On Substackhttps://jamescrossland.substack.com/Follow JAMES CROSSLANDOn Bluesky @jamescrossland.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/jamescrossland.bsky.socialTag HISTORY's DEVILS@historysdevils#HistorysDevils #JamesCrossland #HistoryPodcast #Podcast #History #DarkHistory #HistoricalBiography #TrueHistory #HistoryDocumentary #Deepdive #Storytelling History's Devils is a history podcast exploring the lives of murderers, charlatans, psychopaths, dictators, war criminals, tyrants, demagogues, revolutionaries, cult leaders, conquerors, fraudsters, and other controversial figures.History's Devils is hosted by James Crossland, professor of international history and author of:Rogue Agent: From Secret Plots to Psychological Warfare, the Untold Story of Robert Bruce LockhartThe Rise of Devils: Fear and the Origins of Modern Terrorism...