Fascism, the War, and Structures of Feeling in Italy, 1943-1945: Tales in Chiaroscuro

On July 25, 1943, Mussolini's resignation and arrest stunned Italians, leaving them dumbfounded. This book examines Italians' perspectives on fascism at a critical moment in their history, drawing on over one hundred diaries written by ordinary citizens and inspired by Raymond Williams' concept of structures of feeling. It reveals that coming to terms with twenty years of dictatorship was an arduous enterprise, with little known of what Italians felt and thought about fascism after its demise. The book remedies the gap in historical scholarship by assessing how Italians confronted their present and negotiated their past during the two years from the fall of the regime to the definitive defeat of the RSI and the end of the world war in May 1945.

Format: Hardback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 22 June 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press

On July 25, 1943, news of Mussolini's resignation and subsequent arrest stunned Italians, leaving them dumbfounded. After two decades, fascism had fallen without any advance warning. As festive events marked the incredible outcome and reminders of the past were destroyed, an uncontainable joy seemed to pervade Italians. But what did people actually celebrate? How did they understand the bygone dictatorship, which was soon to be reincarnated in the Italian Social Republic (RSI)? Drawing on more than one hundred diaries written by ordinary citizens (and some prominent figures as well) and inspired by Raymond Williams' concept of structures of feeling, the book examines Italians' perspectives on fascism at a very critical moment in their history. With the country mired in a devastating war further complicated by the September 8, 1943 armistice with the Allies and subsequent German occupation--followed by the eruption of an Italian-against-Italian conflict, the switching of alliances, and the declaration of war against Germany on October 13, 1943--the fast pace of history seemed to deflect Italians' attention from their immediate past. Amidst the daily experience of bombings, hunger, displacement, and death, coming to terms with twenty years of dictatorship turned out to be an arduous enterprise. Whether those who had lived under the fascist regime wished not to think of it and not to speak any more about it, as philosopher Benedetto Croce maintained, is hard to ascertain. In truth, little is known of what Italians felt and thought about fascism after its precipitous demise. This book remedies the gap in historical scholarship by assessing how Italians confronted their present and negotiated their past during the two years from the fall of the regime to the definitive defeat.

Introduction:
On July 25, 1943, a momentous event occurred that shook the foundations of Italy. The news of Mussolini's resignation and subsequent arrest left Italians in a state of disbelief, as they were left grappling with the sudden and unexpected fall of fascism, a regime that had ruled the country for two decades. After such a long period of dominance, the sudden demise of fascism left Italians stunned and bewildered.

The Fall of Fascism:
The fall of fascism was a surprising turn of events that caught the world off guard. It came without any advance warning, leaving Italians completely unprepared for what was to come. The regime had been in power for so long that it had become an integral part of Italian society, and its sudden disappearance left a void that was difficult to fill.

Celebrations and Reactions:
As the news of Mussolini's resignation spread, Italians erupted into celebrations. Festive events were held throughout the country, with people expressing their joy and relief at the end of the fascist regime. The destruction of symbols and reminders of the past, such as statues and monuments, was seen as a way to cleanse the country of its dark past.

However, the celebrations were not without their complexities. While Italians were relieved to be rid of the fascist regime, they were also grappling with the uncertainty that lay ahead. The country was mired in a devastating war, further complicated by the armistice with the Allies and the subsequent German occupation. The eruption of an Italian-against-Italian conflict, the switching of alliances, and the declaration of war against Germany on October 13, 1943, added to the complexity of the situation.

Understanding Fascism:
The fall of fascism raised questions about how Italians understood the bygone dictatorship. It was a regime that had shaped the country's history and culture in profound ways, and its sudden disappearance left many Italians questioning their own identity and history.

To address this question, the book examines more than one hundred diaries written by ordinary citizens and some prominent figures during the two years from the fall of the regime to the definitive defeat. These diaries provide a unique insight into the perspectives of Italians on fascism at a critical moment in their history.

Raymond Williams' Concept of Structures of Feeling:
The book draws on Raymond Williams' concept of structures of feeling to analyze Italians' perspectives on fascism. Williams argued that emotions and experiences are not isolated events but are shaped by the social and cultural structures in which they occur. By examining the diaries, the book seeks to understand how Italians' emotions and experiences were shaped by the fascist regime and how they negotiated their past in the aftermath of its demise.

Conclusion:
The fall of fascism was a momentous event that had a profound impact on Italians. It marked the end of a long period of dominance and uncertainty, and it paved the way for a new era of democracy and freedom. However, the journey to a new future was not without its challenges, as the country was mired in a devastating war and faced internal conflicts.

The book provides a valuable contribution to historical scholarship by assessing how Italians confronted their present and negotiated their past during the two years from the fall of the regime to the definitive defeat. It sheds light on the complexities of Italians' emotions and experiences during a period of great change and uncertainty. By examining the diaries, the book offers a deeper understanding of the legacy of fascism and its impact on Italian society.

Weight: 672g
Dimension: 240 x 160 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780192887504