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→‎Pre World War I activism: that is propbably the real version of Toloemi cimbing. Fixed several errors
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Born into a nationalistically oriented family, after his studies in Florence and Rome Tolomei became associated with the nationalistic [[Dante Alighieri Society]]. After graduation in 1888 he taught in italian schools at [[Tunis]], [[Thessaloniki]], [[İzmir]] and [[Cairo]]. He returned to Italy in 1901 and was appointed Inspector General of Italian Schools Abroad by the Foreign Ministry's Office.
Born into a nationalistically oriented family, after his studies in Florence and Rome Tolomei became associated with the nationalistic [[Dante Alighieri Society]]. After graduation in 1888 he taught in italian schools at [[Tunis]], [[Thessaloniki]], [[İzmir]] and [[Cairo]]. He returned to Italy in 1901 and was appointed Inspector General of Italian Schools Abroad by the Foreign Ministry's Office.


His nationalistic activities had begun in 1890 with the founding of the weekly magazine ''La Nazione Italiana'' (The Italian Nation), a propagandistic publication whose aim was to popularize the positions of the Dante Alighieri Society<ref>Framke 1987, p. 43.</ref>. Its articles dwelled mainly on the issue of [[Trento]] and [[Trieste]], then still under [[Austria-Hungary|Austro-Hungarian]] rule, but covered other areas as well, like the [[Levant]] and [[North Africa]], anticipating the fascist dream of a new mediterranean empire<ref>Steininger 2003, p. 15.</ref>.
His nationalistic activities had begun in 1890 with the founding of the weekly magazine ''La Nazione Italiana'' (The Italian Nation), a propagandistic publication whose aim was to popularize the positions of the Dante Alighieri Society<ref>Framke 1987, p. 43.</ref>. Its articles dwelled mainly on the issue of [[Trento]] and [[Trieste]], then still under [[Austria-Hungary|Austro-Hungarian]] rule, but covered other areas as well, like the [[Levant]] and [[North Africa]], anticipating the fascist dream of a new Mediterranean empire<ref>Steininger 2003, p. 15.</ref>.


As the end of the century neared, Tolomei's activities began to focus on the northern boundaries of Italy. To him, this natural boundary was the main [[water divide]] of the [[Alps]] near [[Resia Pass]] and [[Brenner Pass]], even though few Italians lived in this mostly German-speaking area of the Austrian Empire. In this early phase, he saw the [[ladin|Ladins]], a South Tyrolean language group speaking a [[Rhaeto-Romance languages|Rhaeto-Romance language]], as the latin element through which "an italian-ladinic wedge<ref>Steininger 2003, p. 15.</ref>" could be driven into the germanic-speaking region, which in those days he called ''Alto Trentino'' - High [[Trentino]], not having yet devised the name ''Alto Adige'' - High [[Adige]], a creation which would become the official italian designation for the province after World War I up to this day<ref>Gianni Faustini, "Facevo il giornalista". Appunti e notizie autobiografiche sull'attività giornalistica di Ettore Tolomei. In: Sergio Benvenuti/Cristoph H. von Hartungen (eds.) 1998, p. 169.</ref>. This would have required an italianization of the Ladins, a plan he later abandoned in favor of the greater goal of italianizing or displacig the German-speakers.
As the end of the century neared, Tolomei's activities began to focus on the northern boundaries of Italy. To him, this natural boundary was the main [[water divide]] of the [[Alps]] near [[Resia Pass]] and [[Brenner Pass]], even though few Italians lived in this mostly German-speaking area of the Austrian Empire.
In this early phase, he saw the [[ladin|Ladins]], a South Tyrolean language group speaking a [[Rhaeto-Romance languages|Rhaeto-Romance language]], as the Latin element through which "an Italian-Ladinic wedge<ref>Steininger 2003, p. 15.</ref>" could be driven into the Germanic-speaking region, which in those days he called ''Alto Trentino'' - Upper [[Trentino]], not having yet devised the name ''Alto Adige'' - High [[Adige]], a creation which would become the official Italian designation for the province after World War I up to this day<ref>Gianni Faustini, "Facevo il giornalista". Appunti e notizie autobiografiche sull'attività giornalistica di Ettore Tolomei. In: Sergio Benvenuti/Cristoph H. von Hartungen (eds.) 1998, p. 169.</ref>. This would have required an italianization of the Ladins, a plan he later abandoned in favour of the greater goal of italianizing or displacing the German-speakers.


In 1904 Tolomei climbed the 2911m high [[Klockerkarkopf]] or [[Glockenkarkopf]][http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glockenkarkopf], the northern-most mountain on the main water divide in Tyrol. Even though Fritz Kögl had climbed it in 1895 and reported about it in the Austrian [[Alpine Club]] magazine, Tolomei claimed to be the first climber<ref>Steininger 2003, p. 15.</ref> and named the peak ''Vetta d'Italia'' - Summit of Italy, with clear propagandistic intentions. The endeavour gave the intended results, Italian maps soon used this name, and it is said that this made [[Woodrow Wilson]] believe that South Tyrol 'actually belonged to Italians{{Facts|date=June 2008}}. In 1938 Tolomei was given the title "Conte della Vetta" (Count of the Summit) by the italian King Vittorio Emmanuele III.
In 1904 Tolomei climbed the 2911m high [[Klockerkarkopf]] or [[Glockenkarkopf]][http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glockenkarkopf], the northern-most mountain on the main water divide in the Alps.
Tolomei claimed to be the first climber and renamed the peak ''Vetta d'Italia'' - Summit of Italy (with a clear political aim). He probably ignored that Fritz Kögl had already climbed it in 1895, reporting about it in the [[Austrian Alpine Club]] magazine <ref>Steininger 2003, p. 15.</ref>.
Italian maps later adopted this name. According to a legend U.S President [[Woodrow Wilson]], for this reason believed that South Tyrol was an Italian land {{Facts|date=June 2008}}. In 1938 Tolomei was given the title "Conte della Vetta" (Count of the Summit) by the Italian King Vittorio Emanuele III.


To further his goals, in 1906 Tolomei founded the ''Archivio per l' Alto Adige'', a magazine which moved along the same propagandistic lines as ''La Nazione Italiana'', but focussed solely on the South Tyrolean issue. The ''Archivio'' propagated the Italianness of South Tyrol in articles that claimed scientific authority and objectivity, but where in fact deeply tinged with ideology and propagandistic intent, and for Tolomei a tool for personal promotion and narcisstic gratification<ref>Ferrandi 1986, p. 26.</ref>. An important instrument in the struggle for the italianization of South Tyrol, apart from the scholarly articles in the ''Archivio per l' Alto Adige'' which soon enjoyed a large readership in Italy, was the creation of an italian name for every village and geographical feature in South Tyrol. As World War I neared, toponimy assumed increasing importance. The toponymic studies where presented as a re-Italianization of names which, according to Tolomei and his collaborators, had ben Germanized not many generations before<ref>Cristina Fait, Per la Verità ed il Diritto d' Italia. Archeologia e "Idea di Romanità" nell'Alto Adige dall'inizio del Novecento fino alla seconda guerra mondiale. In: Sergio Benvenuti/Cristoph H. von Hartungen (eds.) 1998, p. 149-150.</ref>. The result of these activities, called ''[[Prontuario dei nomi locali dell'Alto Adige]]'', would be published in 1916 by the ''Reale Società Geografica Italiana la prima ''.
To further his goals, in 1906 Tolomei founded the ''Archivio per l' Alto Adige'', a magazine which moved along the same propagandistic lines as ''La Nazione Italiana'', but focussed solely on the South Tyrolean issue. The ''Archivio'' propagated the Italianness of South Tyrol in articles that claimed scientific authority and objectivity, but where in fact deeply tinged with ideology and propagandistic intent, and for Tolomei a tool for personal promotion and narcisstic gratification<ref>Ferrandi 1986, p. 26.</ref>. An important instrument in the struggle for the italianization of South Tyrol, apart from the scholarly articles in the ''Archivio per l' Alto Adige'' which soon enjoyed a large readership in Italy, was the creation of an italian name for every village and geographical feature in South Tyrol. As World War I neared, toponimy assumed increasing importance. The toponymic studies where presented as a re-Italianization of names which, according to Tolomei and his collaborators, had ben Germanized not many generations before<ref>Cristina Fait, Per la Verità ed il Diritto d' Italia. Archeologia e "Idea di Romanità" nell'Alto Adige dall'inizio del Novecento fino alla seconda guerra mondiale. In: Sergio Benvenuti/Cristoph H. von Hartungen (eds.) 1998, p. 149-150.</ref>. The result of these activities, called ''[[Prontuario dei nomi locali dell'Alto Adige]]'', would be published in 1916 by the ''Reale Società Geografica Italiana la prima ''.

Revision as of 20:07, 12 July 2008

Template:POV-title

Ettore Tolomei (born 16 August 1865 in Rovereto, then Welschtirol province of Austria-Hungary, today Italy - died 25 May 1952 in Rome) was an Italian nationalist and fascist. He was designated a Member of the Italian Senate in 1923, and ennobled ("Conte della vetta") in 1937.

Pre World War I activism

Born into a nationalistically oriented family, after his studies in Florence and Rome Tolomei became associated with the nationalistic Dante Alighieri Society. After graduation in 1888 he taught in italian schools at Tunis, Thessaloniki, İzmir and Cairo. He returned to Italy in 1901 and was appointed Inspector General of Italian Schools Abroad by the Foreign Ministry's Office.

His nationalistic activities had begun in 1890 with the founding of the weekly magazine La Nazione Italiana (The Italian Nation), a propagandistic publication whose aim was to popularize the positions of the Dante Alighieri Society[1]. Its articles dwelled mainly on the issue of Trento and Trieste, then still under Austro-Hungarian rule, but covered other areas as well, like the Levant and North Africa, anticipating the fascist dream of a new Mediterranean empire[2].

As the end of the century neared, Tolomei's activities began to focus on the northern boundaries of Italy. To him, this natural boundary was the main water divide of the Alps near Resia Pass and Brenner Pass, even though few Italians lived in this mostly German-speaking area of the Austrian Empire. In this early phase, he saw the Ladins, a South Tyrolean language group speaking a Rhaeto-Romance language, as the Latin element through which "an Italian-Ladinic wedge[3]" could be driven into the Germanic-speaking region, which in those days he called Alto Trentino - Upper Trentino, not having yet devised the name Alto Adige - High Adige, a creation which would become the official Italian designation for the province after World War I up to this day[4]. This would have required an italianization of the Ladins, a plan he later abandoned in favour of the greater goal of italianizing or displacing the German-speakers.

In 1904 Tolomei climbed the 2911m high Klockerkarkopf or Glockenkarkopf[1], the northern-most mountain on the main water divide in the Alps. Tolomei claimed to be the first climber and renamed the peak Vetta d'Italia - Summit of Italy (with a clear political aim). He probably ignored that Fritz Kögl had already climbed it in 1895, reporting about it in the Austrian Alpine Club magazine [5]. Italian maps later adopted this name. According to a legend U.S President Woodrow Wilson, for this reason believed that South Tyrol was an Italian land [citation needed]. In 1938 Tolomei was given the title "Conte della Vetta" (Count of the Summit) by the Italian King Vittorio Emanuele III.

To further his goals, in 1906 Tolomei founded the Archivio per l' Alto Adige, a magazine which moved along the same propagandistic lines as La Nazione Italiana, but focussed solely on the South Tyrolean issue. The Archivio propagated the Italianness of South Tyrol in articles that claimed scientific authority and objectivity, but where in fact deeply tinged with ideology and propagandistic intent, and for Tolomei a tool for personal promotion and narcisstic gratification[6]. An important instrument in the struggle for the italianization of South Tyrol, apart from the scholarly articles in the Archivio per l' Alto Adige which soon enjoyed a large readership in Italy, was the creation of an italian name for every village and geographical feature in South Tyrol. As World War I neared, toponimy assumed increasing importance. The toponymic studies where presented as a re-Italianization of names which, according to Tolomei and his collaborators, had ben Germanized not many generations before[7]. The result of these activities, called Prontuario dei nomi locali dell'Alto Adige, would be published in 1916 by the Reale Società Geografica Italiana la prima .

Post World War I career

Shortly after Italian troops had occupied South Tyrol in the wake of the Austrian-Italian Armistice of Villa Giusti in November 1918 (which was confirmed by the Treaty of St. Germain in 1919), Tolomei was appointed to a cultural office in the main city of South Tyrol, Bozen (Bolzano).

On 2 October 1922, Tolomei led a group of Blackshirts when they occupied the town hall of Bozen and managed to persuade the Civil commissioner Luigi Credaro to depose the mayor; the following day they moved to Trento and, using similar tactics, obtained the suppression of the administrative Provincial assembly and, after Credaro's and minister Salandra's dismissals that of the entire Central office for the new provinces. It was 'de facto' the end of all democratic policies in the area of Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol between the wars: supported by Mussolini, Tolomei enforced his policy of Italianization from 1923 onwards. Not only the names of towns were changed, but also people were forced to change names and to learn Italian. His program totalled 32 points, of which some of the most salient were:

  • prohibition of the name "Tirol", and any variation of the same;
  • closure of German-language schools:
  • dissolution of parties specific to the German-speaking community;
  • imposition of Italian as the only official language;
  • closure of German-language press.

In 1939, his work led to the Alto Adige Option Agreement that forced people to choose between remaining in Italy or emigrating to the Third Reich, the so called "Option für Deutschland".

In 1943, when Italy surrended, he was seized by German forces and deported, first to the Dachau concentration camp then to a sanatorium in Thuringia.

After the war, he not only retained his title of senator, but resumed as a consultant to the Italian government, and was honored with a state burial in 1952.[citation needed]

Due to his policies of enforcing Italian names invented by him on towns in the Italy-belonging German speaking southern part of Tyrol, he is denigrated as "the undertaker of the province of Bolzano-Bozen" by the German speaking group in the area.



Notes

  1. ^ Framke 1987, p. 43.
  2. ^ Steininger 2003, p. 15.
  3. ^ Steininger 2003, p. 15.
  4. ^ Gianni Faustini, "Facevo il giornalista". Appunti e notizie autobiografiche sull'attività giornalistica di Ettore Tolomei. In: Sergio Benvenuti/Cristoph H. von Hartungen (eds.) 1998, p. 169.
  5. ^ Steininger 2003, p. 15.
  6. ^ Ferrandi 1986, p. 26.
  7. ^ Cristina Fait, Per la Verità ed il Diritto d' Italia. Archeologia e "Idea di Romanità" nell'Alto Adige dall'inizio del Novecento fino alla seconda guerra mondiale. In: Sergio Benvenuti/Cristoph H. von Hartungen (eds.) 1998, p. 149-150.


References

  • Benvenuti, Sergio (1998). Ettore Tolomei (1865-1952). Un nazionalista di confine. Die Grenzen des Nationalismus. Trento: Museo Storico in Trento. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  • Ferrandi, Maurizio (1986). Ettore Tolomei: l'uomo che inventò l'Alto Adige. Trento: Publilux.
  • Framke, Gisela (1987). Im Kampf um Südtirol. Ettore Tolomei (1865-1952) und das ‚Archivio per l'Alto Adige'. Tübingen: M. Niemeyer. ISBN 3-484-82067-5.
  • Steininger, Rolf (2003). South Tyrol: a minority conflict of the twentieth century. New Brunswick, N.J., U.S.A: Transaction Publishers. ISBN 0-7658-0800-5.
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