Henry Ford's Anti-Semitism: a Rhetorical Analysis of the "Paranoid" Style
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations 1-1-1999 Henry Ford's anti-Semitism: A rhetorical analysis of the "paranoid" style Jeffrey Brian Farrell University of Nevada, Las Vegas Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/rtds Repository Citation Farrell, Jeffrey Brian, "Henry Ford's anti-Semitism: A rhetorical analysis of the "paranoid" style" (1999). UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations. 968. http://dx.doi.org/10.25669/wfo5-e1b5 This Thesis is protected by copyright and/or related rights. It has been brought to you by Digital Scholarship@UNLV with permission from the rights-holder(s). You are free to use this Thesis in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s) directly, unless additional rights are indicated by a Creative Commons license in the record and/ or on the work itself. This Thesis has been accepted for inclusion in UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Scholarship@UNLV. For more information, please contact [email protected]. INFORMATION TO USERS This manuscript has been reproduced from the microfilm master. UMI films the text directly from the original or copy submitted. Thus, some thesis and dissertation copies are in typewriter face, while others may be from any type of computer printer. The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. Broken or indistinct print, colored or poor quality illustrations and photographs, print bleedthrough, substandard margins, and improper alignment can adversely affect reproduction. In the unlikely event that the author did not send UMI a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if unauthorized copyright material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. Oversize materials (e.g., maps, drawings, charts) are reproduced by sectioning the original, beginning at the upper left-hand comer and continuing from left to right in equal sections with small overlaps. Each original is also photographed in one exposure and is included in reduced form at the back of the book. Photographs included in the original manuscript have been reproduced xerographically in this copy. Higher quality 6” x 9" black and white photographic prints are available for any photographs or illustrations appearing in this copy for an additional charge. Contact UMI directly to order. UMI Bell & Howell Information and Leaming 300 North Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 USA 800-521-0600 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. HENRY FORD’S ANTI-SEMITISM: A RHETORICAL ANALYSIS OF THE “PARANOID” STYLE by Jeff Farrell Bachelor of Science Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff 1996 A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of requirement for the Master of Arts Degree Hank Greenspun Department of Communication Greenspan College of Urban Affairs Graduate College University of Nevada, Las Vegas Mav 1999 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ÜMI Number; 1394799 UMI Microform 1394799 Copyright 1999, by UMI Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. UMI 300 North Zeeb Road Ann Aurbor, MI 48103 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ©1999 J. Brian Farrell All Rights Reserved Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Thesis Approval UNIV The Graduate College University of Nevada, Las Vegas April 15 19 99 The Thesis prepared by Jeffrey Brian Farrell Entitled Henry Ford's Anti-Semitism; A Rhetorical Analysis of the "Paranoid" Style is approved in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Communication Studies Examination Committee Chair Dean c f the Graduate College Examination Committee<Member Examination Committee Meml rr Graduate College Faculty Representative U Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ABSTRACT Henry Ford’s Anti-Semitism: A Rhetorical Analysis of The “Paranoid” Style by JefF Farrell Dr. Richard Jensen, Examination Committee Chair Professor of Communication University of Nevada, Las Vegas The life and rhetoric of Henry Ford was examined in this study in order to gain an understanding why, and how, he propagated the longest running anti-Semitic campaign in history. A synergy of two existing theories in communication, Hofstadter (1966) and Smith (1977) provided the appropriate framework for this study. Their observations of high-profile figures being labeled as politically “paranoid” were adapted to Henry Ford. This thesis labels Ford as a “paranoid” by identifying that: 1) Ford perceived a conspiracy; 2) a crusade was needed to defeat the conspiracy; 3) Ford was a mihtant leader; and, 4) the enemy was powerful. This thesis shows that the anti-Semitic rhetoric of Ford followed specific patterns and had far-reaching implications. Ill Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT..............................................................................................................................iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.....................................................................................................vi CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................1 Purpose...............................................................................................................................5 Justification........................................................................................................................8 Review of Literature........................................................................................................ 10 Methodology....................................................................................................................18 General Observations......................................................................................................24 CHAPTER n “A VAST AND SINISTER CONSPIRACY” ...................................... 25 Peace Journey.................................................................................................................. 27 Protocols...........................................................................................................................33 Analysis............................................................................................................................40 CHAPTER m “ALL OUT CRUSADE” ........................................................................ 41 Dearborn Independent .....................................................................................................42 International Jew.............................................................................................................49 Analysis............................................................................................................................57 CHAPTER rV “MILITANT LEADER” ....................................................................... 60 Five Dollar Day...............................................................................................................62 Financing the Nazi Party................................................................................................ 68 Public Apology................................................................................................................72 Analysis............................................................................................................................77 CHAPTER V “POWERFUL ENEMY” .......................................................................78 “Superman” Qualities of the Enemy ............................................................................. 79 New York Herald ............................................................................................................87 Analysis............................................................................................................................89 CHAPTER VI CONCLUSION......................................................................................90 Discussion....................................................................................................................... 90 Limitations....................................................................................................................... 94 iv Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Final Conclusion and Implications................................................................................ 96 BIBLIOGRAPHY.........................................................................................................100 V ITA .............................................................................................................................. 105 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would sincerely like to thank Dr.