Rise & Fear of Socialism in Italy

1. Rise & Fear of Socialism in Italy By Daphne Poon, Jane Yip, Joanne Yao and Lois Capon

2. Introduction • Messy post-war situation in Italy • Corruption and bribery in the Italian government • Significant gap North (wealthy) South (poor) • Many people were unable to vote • No sense of nationalism. • A revolution appeared to be underway • Some Italians welcomed the Socialist Party • Others feared Socialism

3. The effects of Russian Revolution • Russian Revolution provided Italy an idea for another kind of government • Brought new-found fear of a Socialist or Communist revolution in Italy, • Demonstrated the power of a revolution: gave hope for some • Revolutionary faction demanded revolution and dictatorship. • Became dominant in Italian Socialist Party during war • August 1919, a socialist decree: “the proletariat must be incited to the violent seizure of political and economic power” and “must be handed over entirely... to the Workers’ and Peasants’ Council”. • But prevented by the division amongst leaders of party on how to use post-war situation • Leaders did not join liberal coalition governments due to revolutionary attitudes. • Elite and educated feared many would revolt due to Versailles Treaty • Italian government seemed weak • Did not remove Gabriele d’Annuzio from Fiume one year after invasion.

4. What Socialism stands for & who supported it • Socialist party claimed they were Marxist; aimed for a Socialist republic • The party was split between the maximalists and the minimalists. • Maximalists believed revolution was the best solution • Minimalists believed in using parliament and enact reforms for full Socialism. • 1921: Communist party was formed- split PSI into 3 groups • Problematic: they could not work together effectively • Powerful leader might have resolved these problems • Biggest rival =Catholic union, encouraged people not to join the socialists • Very little support in south, for PSI- worked on agricultural policies for support • After 1919 elections : Promising prospects for PSI, but could not agree on a strategy to gain power • Pressure for change after war benefited the Socialists • But many Italians felt threatened, e.g- farmers, landlords and tradesmen. • Patriots and returning soldiers disliked PSI for their neutral stance on war

5. Middle & upper class fears • Socialism: control of economic production and management • Upper and middle classes feared loss of wealth gained by work • Other elites such as the Catholic church feared and disliked Socialism • Many patriots hated Socialists for neutral stance during the war • Dislike for Socialists for this reason increased in post-war Italy • Monopoly control on labour supply greatly scared middle and upper classes • August 1922: Socialists called for an “egalitarian general strike” against Fascist violence • Collapsed after 1 day: lack of support from Socialism fears • Fascists used fear of Socialism in gaining power • National Fascist Party appealed to industrialists and landowners with their fear of Bolshevik labour politics • Promised good business climate, effective labour, wage and political stability • Fascists’ block of Socialist strike showed their importance • Mussolini: “We declare war on socialism, not because it is socialist, but because it has opposed nationalism”

6. The Red Scare • Red Scare=fear of Socialist revolution • Corruption & bribery in Italian Government made Socialist Party more popular • 300,000+ people reading the Socialist newspaper Avanti! • More frequent strikes • Red flags began to fly over town halls • Postage stamps showing the sickle and hammersymbol • Issue of rising power of Italian Socialist Party (PSI) made clear when: • 1920: PSI of 200,000 members won elections for many town councils • BiennioRosso 1919-20: Many politicians and elite members thought that Italy was nearing a Socialist revolution • Red Scare made many elite members support Fascism.

7. Conclusion • PSI took advantage of Italy’s post-war situation • Led to greatly increased fear and rise of Socialism • Rise of PSI partly inspired by Bolshevik revolution • Rise in power shown in media and election numbers • PSI promised to restore nationalism & help reduce poverty • Helped gain support from small part of population • But most Italians feared and disliked them, especially: • Upper & middle classes: Socialist ideas called for a government-controlled economy • Patriots and soldiers disliked Socialists’ lack of contribution in Italy’s war effort • Farmers, landlords & tradesmen • Post war: PSI rose in power but demise caused by peoples’ fear • Nationalism promoted instead