6 Facing the demise of fascism
-
Jonathan Dunnage
Abstract
This chapter analyses how the Italian police confronted the many twists and turns characterising the final dramatic years of fascism. It examines how police personnel reacted to the breakdown in the machinery of the fascist state and the collapse of social cohesion in the scenario of the 'fascist war'. The chapter also examines how police personnel reacted to changes in regime in the dramatic situation of military occupation and civil conflict. Reflecting in part Benito Mussolini's alignment with Nazi policy but also the longer-standing anti-Semitic orientation of fascism, the Race Laws, decreed in September 1938, sanctioned the ostracism of Italian Jews from the Italian community. Police personnel faced far greater dilemmas in the wake of the Nazi occupation, which followed Marshal Pietro Badoglio's announcement on 8 September 1943 of Italy's surrender to the Anglo-American forces, and the founding of the Italian Social Republic.
Abstract
This chapter analyses how the Italian police confronted the many twists and turns characterising the final dramatic years of fascism. It examines how police personnel reacted to the breakdown in the machinery of the fascist state and the collapse of social cohesion in the scenario of the 'fascist war'. The chapter also examines how police personnel reacted to changes in regime in the dramatic situation of military occupation and civil conflict. Reflecting in part Benito Mussolini's alignment with Nazi policy but also the longer-standing anti-Semitic orientation of fascism, the Race Laws, decreed in September 1938, sanctioned the ostracism of Italian Jews from the Italian community. Police personnel faced far greater dilemmas in the wake of the Nazi occupation, which followed Marshal Pietro Badoglio's announcement on 8 September 1943 of Italy's surrender to the Anglo-American forces, and the founding of the Italian Social Republic.
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i
- Contents v
- List of figures vii
- Preface and acknowledgements ix
- Introduction 1
- 1 ‘Cinderella status’ 8
- 2 The ‘fascistisation’ of police culture 37
- 3 Oppression and consensus-building 78
- 4 The performance of Mussolini’s policemen 104
- 5 Personal profiles 135
- 6 Facing the demise of fascism 166
- 7 Conclusion 206
- Select bibliography 223
- Index 229
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i
- Contents v
- List of figures vii
- Preface and acknowledgements ix
- Introduction 1
- 1 ‘Cinderella status’ 8
- 2 The ‘fascistisation’ of police culture 37
- 3 Oppression and consensus-building 78
- 4 The performance of Mussolini’s policemen 104
- 5 Personal profiles 135
- 6 Facing the demise of fascism 166
- 7 Conclusion 206
- Select bibliography 223
- Index 229
