How effective was BM's radicalisation of the regime in the late 1930s? Flashcards
1920s
BM generally cooperated with the elites,and disappointed some of the RADICALS in his own party who expected a F revolution
When was the Reform of Customs?
1938
What are the Reform of Customs illustrative of?
a fundamental shift of emphasis in the regime in the late 1930s.
Reform of Customs:
tried to abolish informal use of you (“LEI”) and introduce the handshake.
Introducing the passo romano
Where was greater radicalism becoming evident?
- educational and institutional changes
- FP
- anti-semitic policies
What lay at the root of his increasing radicalism?
From the beginning BM had been been trying to change the way Italians thought, and make them proud of being members of his new FI.
He hoped this would also influence their behaviour- that they would work harder, fight better and have more kids.
What did BM, Starace and Bottai begin to think by the mid-1930s?
They began to be despaired of their countrymen. Most had failed to take on board the F spiritual revolution.
What did BM criticise Italians of?
their “bourgeois mentality”- meaning they were pacifist, complacent and materialistic.
They were too attracted to the W dems and they needed toughening up.
What did BM say to Ciano in July 1938?
“Henceforth the revolution must impinge on the habits of Italians. They must learn to be less sympathetic in order to become hard, relentless and hateful- i.e. masters”
With the conquest of Abyssinia in 1936, and the growing likelihood of European war, it seems that BM became more determined…
…to try to forge a nation that could meet its IMPERIAL and AGGRESSIVE destiny
What did BM say about anti-Semitism in 1932?
“Anti-Semitism does not exist in Italy”
How many Jews were there in Italy?
57k
Hundreds of Jewish refugees had moved to Italy.
What had Jews long contributed to?
Italy’s prosperity and progress
How many Jews were members of the PNF in 1938?
10,000
Who were the 2 Jewish govt ministers?
1) Aldo Finzi (member of FGC)
2) Guido Jung (Finance Minister 32-35)
BM had how many Jewish mistresses?
2
BM occasionally made anti-semitic comments
these were ideological racism (criticising Jews for their beliefs) not biological racism
However, some Fascists were anti-semitic including?
Farinacci
Before BM turned on the Jews where had he shown racialist tendencies?
in his colonial policies- particularly Abyssinia. Stressed superiority over tribesmen. Thought it was his duty to impose Italian civilisation in Libya and Abyssinia
BM claimed Italians were?
“Aryans of a Med type”
When did BM’s antisemitism become apparent?
1936 after axis
Abyssinia 1935
Attack on Ab. and proclamation of the Empire encouraged development of racism to justify and buttress imperial control
1936 Ab. decrees
decrees banning mixing of races in Ab.
Axis alliance with NG
1936
Propaganda Ministry published MANIFESTO OF ITALIAN RACISM
July 1938
1938 Racist decrees
- Jews banned from mixed marriages
- No Jews in state service
- No Jewish kids in state schools
- Jews not to have Aryan servants
- Jews not allowed to own large firms
- Foreign Jews expelled
Reasons for racist decrees
- BM’s desire to emulate AH; to strengthen the axis
- Development of racist feelings during Ab. campaign
-Several Jews were prominent in the international campaign for sanctions against
Italy over its attack on Ab.
- Jews involved in some opp. groups, e.g. Rosselli brothers
- Implicit in F as it developed in the 1930s and became more radical, with the Reform of Customs. were attacks on the bourgeosie, a greater attempt to create a “uomo Fascista”, and hostility to the BOLSHEVISM, INTERNATIONALISM and materialism associated with the Jews.
- Internal pressure from F radicals, e.g. Farinacci
