In these essays, Trotsky examines the political and social origins of fascism and elaborates the strategical and tactical methods for the defense of the working class against this deadly menace.

Among the topics covered by Trotsky is the use of the united front and the arming of the working class for self defense. In all his writings he stresses the need for a revolutionary orientation by the working class as the basis for winning vacillating elements of the middle class to the side of socialism.