IdeaFest
 

Document Type

Oral/Panel

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Publication Date

4-2020

Keywords

Piedmont, Italy, Turin, Italian Partisans, Nazi occupation, Allied effort

Disciplines

Arts and Humanities | English Language and Literature | European Languages and Societies

Abstract

When researching histories, reading books, or watching movies about World War II, I would argue that most Americans focus on Allied soldiers on the front lines, the D-Day invasion, the dropping of the atomic bombs, and the Holocaust. I completely understand why-these chapters of history are dramatic, filled with valor and vileness, and often showcase the sacrifices made by American citizens to ensure Allied victory. However, in the greatest conflict of the 20th Century, millions of stories go untold, and one of the most impactful is that of the Italian Partisan. When Italy surrendered to Allied forces in September 1943, German soldiers still occupied the northern half of the country and fought until the end of the war in May 1945. During that time, an underground resistance arose to thwart Nazi occupation and aid Allied efforts. My research and presentation focus specifically on in the northern city of Turin and its environs in the surrounding Piedmont region, and the partisans who participated in secret propaganda distribution, clandestine resistance meetings, hidden evacuation of Jewish refugees to Switzerland, and mountainous guerrilla warfare against Nazi forces. While living every day among the enemy, these men and women risked their lives to fight for their freedoms, support the Allied efforts for victory, and establish a country based on the values of freedom, equality, and camaraderie. In my presentation, we will look at those whose stories and invaluable contributions have largely gone overlooked for the last 75 years.

First Advisor

Leah McCormack

Research Area

English

Comments

Graduate Academic and Creative Research Grant recipient

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