Editing TIGR (section)

== Background ==
[[File:Treaty of Rapallo.png|thumb|430px|right|The Treaty of Rapallo and the [[Italianization]] of ethnic Slovene areas that included a quarter of Slovene ethnic territory and approximately 327,000 out of a total population of 1.3<ref name="SacroEgoismo2012">Lipušček, U. (2012) ''Sacro egoismo: Slovenci v krempljih tajnega londonskega pakta 1915'', Cankarjeva založba, Ljubljana. {{ISBN|978-961-231-871-0}}</ref> million Slovenes,<ref name=Cresciani_ClashOfCivilisations>Cresciani, Gianfranco (2004) [https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B1aAzmXBjZO5eFQySUlrdTBYRkk Clash of civilisations], Italian Historical Society Journal, Vol.12, No.2, p.4</ref> on the map of present-day Slovenia with its traditional regions' boundaries.]] While the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy was a multi-national empire, which allowed a relatively large degree of [[cultural autonomy]] to the different peoples and ethnic groups, Italy was a [[nation state]], and its governments had little intention of allowing the existence of separate national movements and identities on its territories. Issues regarding the use of the [[Slovene language|Slovene]] and [[Croatian language|Croatian]] languages in public administration and in the educational system, therefore, became the main point of contention between the Italian authorities and the Slovene and Croatian minorities.

After the Fascist movement came to power in 1922, anti-Slavic policies were enforced as part of [[Italianization]]. In 1923, the use of Slovene and Croatian in all public offices, including post offices and means of public transport, was prohibited. In the same year, the [[Gentile Reform|Gentile reform]] declared Italian as the only language of public education; by 1928, all Slovene and Croatian schools, including private ones, were closed down. In 1925, the use of Slovene and Croatian was prohibited in the courts of law. All Slovene and Croatian names of towns and settlements were Italianized. By 1927, all public use of Slovene and Croatian was prohibited. It was prohibited to give children [[Slavic names]], and all [[Slavic languages|Slavic]]-sounding surnames were administratively given an Italian-sounding form. The Fascist Italianization prohibited Slavic inscriptions on gravestones.{{citation needed|date=June 2013}}

By 1927, all Slovene and Croatian associations—not only political ones, but also cultural, educational and sport associations—were dissolved, as were all financial and economic institutions in the hands of the Slovene and Croatian minority. Starting in 1928, the state law also started limiting the use of Slovene and Croatian in the churches, and in 1934, all use of Slovene and Croatian in Roman Catholic liturgy (including singing and sermons) was prohibited.

Under the effect of this policy, tens of thousands emigrated abroad, mostly to Yugoslavia and [[Slovene communities in South America|South America]].