Anti-semetic Decrees Flashcards
Timeline of Cult of Il Duce
Popularity reached its height in 1936 and then the fascist dictatorship went into a slow decline
Why did it slow down?
Economic issues - a growing concern about the relationship with Germany and Mussolini’s inability to deliver his promises led to further disillusionment
Key areas of discontent
Anti-jewish policies in 1937 - no anti-Semitic rhetoric from Italian fascism prior to this (no idea of Volk) ; less than 1% of the population were Jewish and Mussolini had appointed a Jewish finance minister in 1932
1938 - Italian Jews could not marry “pure” Italians or own more than 50 hectares of land and running businesses with over 100 employees
Foreign Jews?
To be deported - over the next 3 years, 6000 of them left and many were expelled from schools and Jewish lecturers lost their jobs etc (Jewish businesses closed down too)
Why did Mussolini adopt these policies?
1) Influence of anti-Jewish policy from right wing dictatorships in Germany, Austria, Hungary and Romania
2) Harsher policy would help create a more militaristic, radicalised society that would be United by the hatred for both external and internal enemies (in this case the Jews) - mirroring the TOTALITARIAN state ; needed to develop a racial mentality that gave them a sense of superiority
Reform of customs?
Ideological campaign that forced all civil servants to wear uniforms and the militia to adopt the passo Romano
Italians were forbidden to shake hands (foreign and bourgeoisie) ; had to greet each other with the Roman salute
Part of a greater transformation into a radicalised society
Public reception of the reform of customs?
RIDICULED BY ITALIAN PEOPLE AS POINTLESS THAT WAS COPIED OFF THE GERMANS AND HAS NO RELEVANCY TO THEIR LIVES
Anti semitism was resented by the majority of Italians
Pope condemned this as Un-Italian attempt to copy the Nazis
Working signs of Italy’s subservience to Germany ; this policy goal to unite the Italians radically was a failure ; LOST SUPPORT FROM CHURCH, JUDICIARY AND BUSINESSES + CAUSED MANY TO QUESTION DIRECTION OF PNF/FASCIST POLICY
Totalitarian rule slogan
Everything within the state, nothing outside the state, nothing against the state
