Français et italiens dans la France méridionale de la fin de la Grande guerre au sortir de l'occupation : opinion et représentations réciproques
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Toulouse 2Disciplines:
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Abstract EN:
Italian immigration which reached south western france at the beginning of the twenties had a major impact in local rural communities. To better understand the relations between the french and the italians, it is necessary to assess the reactions of public opinion as it was confronted with this migration. Hence this study lays emphasis on a plural approach which combines an analysis of both the sociological data on the issue and the social discourse it generated. To do so it is essential to take into account the various systems of representations at work in southern french society as well as the interactions induced by the differences of opinion within the two populations. At first, demographic preoccupation coupled with a general agreement on the benefits of an increased labour force eased the acceptance of this immigration. The shared rural values contributed to the shaping of a favourable representation among local people. In the midst of conflicts revolving around fascism, ideological references had a pivotal role as they determined contrasted reactions of either hostility or friendship ; the political and communal organisation of migrants had a long lasting influence on these reactions. Despite its overall importance in the expression of public opinion, the political issue was not the only one relevant. Catholicity, the manner professional relations were then conducted, the mutual perception of cultural practices, etc. Permit to achieve a more thorough comprehension of the manifestations of opinion which characterised this migratory encounter. From the late thirties to june 1944 (french liberation) this period of crisis gave rise to tensions. The global context, the consequences of the italian declaration of war against france and the new scissions resulting from german occupation combined to transform the representations at work in the public opinion and modified the relations between french and italians.
Abstract FR:
Arrivee dans le sud-ouest francais au debut des annees vingt, l'immigration italienne represente un fait majeur pour les campagnes de la region. Afin d'evaluer les reactions de l'opinion publique a ce mouvement, clef partielle d'une comprehension des rapports entre francais et italiens, l'etude privilegie une approche croisee, integrant les aspects sociologiques du phenomene tout comme l'analyse du discours social qui se developpe a ce propos. Elle implique la prise en compte des systemes de representation a l'oeuvre dans la societe meridionale, mais aussi celle des effets de reciprocite induits par les enjeux d'opinion qui se manifestent entre les deux populations. Dans les premiers temps, l'angoisse demographique et le consensus des elites regionales sur les bienfaits d'un apport de main-d'oeuvre facilitent la perception favorable de cette immigration. Le partage des valeurs terriennes contribue a en faconner la representation. En plein conflit autour du fascisme, les referents ideologiques jouent une grande part, determinant des reactions contrastees d'animosite ou d'amitie franco-italienne, l'organisation partisane et associative des emigres agissant comme un facteur durable. Mais malgre sa preeminence dans l'expression publique de l'opinion, cette question politique n'est pas seule en cause. L'exemple du fait catholique, comme ceux des modalites de relations professionnelles ou des perceptions relatives aux pratiques culturelles permettent d'appronfondir la demonstration des effets de discours et d'opinion qui marquent la rencontre migratoire. De la fin des annees trente jusqu'a la liberation, le temps des crises amene de nouvelles tensions. Le contexte general, les sequelles de l'entree en guerre de l'italie et les nouveaux clivages issus de l'occupation se conjuguent pour transformer les representations a l'oeuvre dans l'opinion publique et remodeler d'autant les rapports entre francais et italiens.