| |
| 1938, Jan. 7 |
| |
| The Italian government announced a huge naval construction program, to supplement the great rearmament plan introduced a year earlier. | 1 |
| |
| March |
| |
| The German annexation of Austria (See March 12). The world was astounded at Mussolini's calm acceptance of a situation that involved the breakdown of the Rome protocol system and brought the powerful German Nazi state to the Brenner Pass. | 2 |
| |
| Aug. 3 |
| |
| The Italian government, despite past policy and assurances, introduced a “racial” program directed against the Jews, who were few in Italy. Various regulations barred foreign Jews from Italian schools, ordered all Jews who had taken up residence in Italy since 1919 to leave within six months, discharged Jewish teachers and students from schools and universities, and prohibited marriage between Italians and non-Aryans. Despite such official policies, Italy earned the anger of its Nazi allies for the lax enforcement of anti-Semitic laws throughout the war. Pius XI also criticized German and Italian racial policies. | 3 |
| |
| Sept |
| |
| In the Czechoslovak crisis (See 1938, March–May) Mussolini remained in the background until the tension reached the breaking point. He delivered a series of threatening speeches, but in the last resort did his utmost to bring about the Munich meeting. | 4 |
| |
| Oct. 8 |
| |
| The Fascist grand council abolished the chamber of deputies, last vestige of the old constitution, and replaced it with a chamber of fascist unions and corporations. | 5 |
| |
| Nov. 30 |
| |
| A great demonstration in the Italian chamber, with loud demands for the cession of Corsica and Tunisia by France. | 6 |
| |
| |
