Fascist Antisemitism

Question 1

When did the popularity of Mussolini and the Cult of Il Duce reach its peak?

Answer 1

1936

Question 2

What caused the decline of the fascist dictatorship in Italy after 1936?

Answer 2

• Economic issues,
• the public’s growing concerns about the German/Italian relationship,
• & Mussolini’s inability to fulfill promises.

Question 3

How did Mussolini’s policies toward the Jewish population of Italy change over time?

Answer 3

• increased the radicalization of the Jewish population despite them being less than 1% of the population

Question 4

How did Mussolini’s approach to antisemitism compare to Hitler’s?

Answer 4

• While Nazism was growing and increasing repression of the German Jewish population,
• Mussolini wasn’t as dedicated to it as Hitler and did not completely follow in Hitler’s footsteps

Question 5

Is there evidence suggesting the increase in Italian antisemitism in 1938 was due to pressure from Hitler?

Answer 5

• There is no evidence to suggest this,
• but the European increase in persecution of Jewish people might have been influential to Mussolini
• But it might just have been general movement towards radicalising the Italian population a more militaristic society

Question 6

What is notable about Italy’s history of antisemitism compared to other European countries?

Answer 6

• Italy has a minimal history of antisemitism in comparison to other European countries, despite being the first country to put Jews in Ghettos in 1955

Question 7

What was the public opinion in Italy towards antisemitism in the 1900s?

Answer 7

• Many Italians ridiculed Mussolini’s anti-Semitic laws as ridiculous and pointless.

Question 8

What was Mussolini’s relationship with the conservative elite regarding his anti-Semitic policies?

Answer 8

• Mussolini lost a lot of support from the conservative elite, including the church, businesses, and judiciary system

Question 9

What did Mussolini claim about antisemitism in Italy in an interview?

Answer 9

• Mussolini claimed, “antisemitism does not exist in Italy.”

Question 10

Did Mussolini have any personal connections to the Jewish community?

Answer 10

• Yes, he had a Jewish mistress (Margherita Sarfatti)
• & was seen supporting Jewish and Zionist movements in Italy

Question 11

Were there Jewish members in the PNF and did Mussolini appoint Jewish people to important roles

Answer 11

• There were around 3000 Jewish PNF members, and Mussolini appointed Jewish people to important roles, like Finance Minister in 1932.

Question 12

How did Mussolini’s writings reflect his views on antisemitism?

Answer 12

• Mussolini had been writing antisemitism articles since 1919 and believed in the idea of an ‘Aryan race.’

Question 13

What significant publication did Mussolini release in 1938 related to his racial views?

Answer 13

• Mussolini published a Manifesto of Racial Scientists in 1938

Question 14

What is the reasoning behind Mussolini’s antisemitic policies?

Answer 14

• The reasoning behind Mussolini’s antisemitic policies is complex,
• with influences from European antisemitism
• & Mussolini’s own evolving views

Question 15

What restriction was placed on foreign-born Jews in Italy in August 1938?

Answer 15

• They were banned from state schools

Question 16

What changes occurred in Italian schools for Jews in September 1938?

Answer 16

• All Jews were banned from state schools and from teaching in state schools;
• separate schools were established for Jewish students

Question 17

What happened to Jewish lecturers in universities in September 1938?

Answer 17

• Jewish lecturers were removed from their positions in universities.

Question 18

What exclusion took place in October 1938 regarding Jewish membership?

Answer 18

• Jews were excluded from membership of the PNF (National Fascist Party) and other fascist organisations.

Question 19

What economic restrictions were placed on Jews in Italy in October 1938?

Answer 19

• Jews were forbidden from owning large companies or landed estates (more than 50 hectares of land), and their businesses couldn’t have more than 100 employees.

Question 20

What employment restriction was placed on Jews in October 1938?

Answer 20

• Jews could not employ ‘pure Italians’ as servants.

Question 21

What marital restriction was imposed on Jews in Italy in November 1938?

Answer 21

Jews were not allowed to marry non-Jews.

Question 22

What military and professional exclusions affected Jews in November 1938?

Answer 22

Jews were excluded from the military and banking.

Question 23

What happened to foreign Jews in Italy in November 1938?

Answer 23

• Foreign Jews were expelled from the country.

Question 24

How did Mussolini try to legitamise his manifesto of radical scientists

Answer 24

• Mussolini attempted to give the manifesto a scientific basis
• by having 42 leading pro-fascists doctors, anthropologists and biologists
• sign the document in support of racial theory on the grounds of supposes biological and medical ‘evidence’

Question 25

On the Manifesto of the Radical Scientists - who wrote & orchestrated its writing

Answer 25

• Mussolini was the main author, building upon the ideas of his key adviser on racial theory, the anthropologist Guido Landra, who believed that certain races were inferior to Europeans.

Question 26

Following from these laws within the next 3 years, …… Jews left the country. However, Italy also allowed ….. German Jews to enter Italy as refugees to escape Nazi persecution.

Answer 26

• 6000
• 3000

Question 27

What was the ‘reform of customs’ in Italy during Mussolini’s regime?

Answer 27

• It was an ideological campaign
• that forced all civil servants to wear uniforms,
• adopted the goose step for the army and militia,
• & banned handshakes in favor of the ‘Roman Salute’

Question 28

Why did Mussolini enforce the ‘reform of customs’?

Answer 28

• Mussolini wanted to create a stronger, radical Italy, prepared for war and believing in its own superiority
• they wanted to protect Italy from ‘race mixing’

Question 29

Who was Roberto Farinacci and what did he advocate for?

Answer 29

• Roberto Farinacci was a Fascist who called for a greater focus on race and contributed to the anti-Semitic laws of 1938.

Question 30

How did far-right groups in Europe influence Mussolini?

Answer 30

• They influenced his movement towards radicalizing the Italian population and creating a more militaristic society

Question 31

What was Mussolini’s rationale for having a common internal enemy of the Jews?

Answer 31

• He believed it would unite Italians together to create a strong totalitarian nation.

Question 32

What happened when the original Fascist regime collapsed in 1943?

Answer 32

• Mussolini allowed racist Fascists to escalate their persecution of Jews,
• leading to the confiscation of Jewish property
• & the rounding up of Jews

Question 33

How many Italian Jews were sent to Nazi death camps, and how many survived?

Answer 33

• Over 7500 (other sources say 9000) Italian Jews were sent to Nazi death camps, with only 600 surviving

Question 34

How did Italians perceive Mussolini’s radical push?

Answer 34

• Italians saw it as irrelevant to their lives and believed Mussolini was trying to copy Nazism, which they did not support

Question 35

What was a significant issue with the enforcement of anti-Semitic laws?

Answer 35

• There was a lack of consistency in how the anti-Semitic laws were enforced

Question 36

Why did many leading fascist officials not enforce the anti-Semitic laws?

Answer 36

• They either supported the Church’s view that it was morally wrong or had personal Jewish connections.

Question 37

What were some exemptions to the anti-Semitic laws?

Answer 37

• Exemptions were given if:
• a Jewish person had a vital role within the fascist regime, such as Farinacci keeping his Jewish secretary
• or if they fought in WW1