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jul 1, 1938 - Anti-semitic laws

Description:

the first time racial laws were introduced in Italy,

Initially Fascism did not concern itself w/ race,
Fascism cared about nationality,

this changed here

reasons:
- Musso wanted to appeal to Hitler, his new ally
- a consequence of the Abyssinian war
(racism against Africans translating to racism against Jews)
- just a general radicalization of the party from the late 1930's onward
(what also showed this was the Reform of Customs, which aimed to ban the handshake, among other things)

the new laws included:
- ban on mixed marriages (Italians w/ Jews)
- Jews kicked out of civil service
- Jews kicked out of state schools
- Aryans (Italians) were not to be servants of Jews
- Jews not allowed to own large firms
- foreign Jews expelled

effects:
- unpopular with most Italians, seen by many as Musso kissing Hitler's ass
- Pope openly critical, king privately
- 1/12 university teachers sacked
- only properly enforced after 1943 when the German occupation began

these policies showed:
- Musso was coming under the influence of Hitler
- Fascist Italy was radicalizing in the late 1930's

Overall,
because of the Reform of Customs,
as well as these anti-semitic laws,
many Italians started becoming sceptical of Musso

Added to timeline:

15 Feb 2023
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Date:

jul 1, 1938
Now
~ 88 years ago