Teaching as a source of fleet culture

Burzagli's influence was institutional as well as material. Before becoming chief of staff, he taught junior officers and future admirals at the staff academy; he later led a service whose rising officers already knew his ideas. Teaching created continuity by shaping the officers who would go on to hold command. It also helps explain why Burzagli's example retained weight after his resignation and amid Fascist political pressure. Education, funding, and shipbuilding together provide the strongest explanation offered here for the Italian fleet's character.