An example of cultural conflict, specifically an ethnic conflict, in Italy arose in the 1930s with Mussolini's racial laws. Between September 2, 1938, and November 17, 1938, Italy enacted a series of racial laws.

After Hitler came to power in 1933, Mussolini felt threatened by Hitler’s invasions in Austria. Mussolini intended to resist German expansion into the region and in order to placate Hitler, while still thwarting his ambition, Mussolini decided to develop an anti-Semitic campaign in Italy. The effect of these racial laws was that Jews were banned from jobs in the government, banking, insurance, education, entertainment industry and the practice of law, Jews were banned from attending all education institutions, Marriage was prohibited between Jews and non-Jews, Jewish property was confiscated, Jewish businesses were “Aryanized”, all foreign Jews were required to leave Italy, Jews were forbidden to employ non-Jewish Italian domestics, Jews were forbidden to serve in the military, and a Jewish census conducted in 1938 facilitated the future arrests of thousands. 

The start of this ethnic conflict came on September 2, 1938, and the end of these racial laws came with the end of World War 2 on September 2, 1945.

This conflict was affected by spatial interaction due to the proximity of Germany and Italy. Austria is between Germany and Italy, which is why Mussolini was so concerned as to the fact that Austria had been invaded by Germany. Had the space between Italy and Germany been farther it's likely that this ethnic conflict would never have arisen in Italy.

How Did World War II End? | HISTORY 

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