| Abstrakt: |
The paper is an in-depth study of a source of primary importance within research on the purge of university professors in Italy. Firstly, the numerous and often hostile methods in which the purge was carried are outlined in order to better understand the importance and limitations of this source, originating from the records of the First Purge Commission of the Ministry of Public Education. The source is then analyzed quantitatively and statistically in order to identify certain salient features of the purge process, which are then elucidated and contextualized. It is noted, for example, how the vast majority of professors who stood trial (approximately a third) came from the University of Rome, and that the main 'fascist crimes' committed by academics were those of their apologia of and role in the fascist body politic. Finally, a proposal is drawn up on how to best exploit this source taking into account certain of its shortcomings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
