The Italian Fascist Regime

Through the use of different artifacts, the exhibition “Metropole/Colony: Africa and Italy” explains the Fascist era from 1922 to 1943. While the exhibition focuses on the integration between the Italian colonies and the Metropole, its layout focuses on the Italians’ pride toward the Fascist regime and ideas.

The exhibition is divided in different topics: Architecture, propaganda, agriculture, transportation, and Italian pride. The objects, posters, and photographs closer to the wall focus on the integration of Italy and its colonies. Although the objects seem to be randomly placed in the middle of the exhibition, they are the result of the rest of the propaganda displayed around the walls of the exhibition. They represent Italian citizens’ pride for their government, and how they portrayed their delight with their country in their homes or workplaces. One example of this is “The Book and Case”, a publication that demonstrates how proud the Italians in New York and New Jersey were of the Italian government.

At the entry, there is an explanation for the exhibit, and right next to it, on the right side, there are maps for the modified layout of the Italian colonies. As one continues in that same direction, additional photographs and posters can be seen that are related to the architecture and integration of historic architecture and technology which correlate to the Fascist ideologies. The combination of old and new also represents the Fascist aspiration for continuing the nation’s legacy.

On the other wall, five framed posters are hung behind a grouping of artifacts like books, postcards, rings, and games. The posters convey the way the regime advertised their ideas and assured citizens of their effort to transform the colonies. The displayed relics exhibit how citizens influenced by the regime supported and followed their advance in the colonization. Donating rings is one example of just what kind of dedication Italian citizens had to their government in supporting the war in Ethiopia.

On the following wall are posters about agriculture. The posters explain the importance of citizens producing their own food and working for their nation. Agriculture was claimed by the regime to be the main reason why expanding Italian territory was so important. Continuing on, are the walls about transportation. The posters promote the importance of technology on the regime’s effort to progress. The posters emphasize several pieces that represent the technology of the time.