Italian Refugees from Istria as Political Instruments of the »Propaganda of Italianism« in Italy and »National Reclaim« in Triest in the Years 1945-1954

Abstract

The author analyses the political use of Italian refugees from Istria in the post-war period in Italy, its evolution, characteristics and forms. In particular, on the ground of inedited documents found in the Record Office of the Government General Commissariat in Triest, it is shown how the refugee settlement in former Zone A of the Free Territory of Triest was planned in order to ethnically reclaim the land and how it evolved. Great emphasis is laid on the wilfulness and planning of this settlement, particularly directed against Slovene section of the native population. To accomplish this project several state institutions and various other organisations were involved; among these the »Istrian National Committee of Liberation« (Comitato di Liberazione Nazionale deli' Istria) stood out for its decisive role. The conclusion displays some of the consequences of such policy of Italianisation in the province of Triest.