Forms of Opposition in Fascist Italy

Forms of Opposition in Fascist Italy

1. Opposition Groups

   • Anti-Fascist concentration: Established 1927 in Paris. Mainly socialists + some liberals. Tried to work on divisions with difficulty. Concentrated on telling europeans how bad Fascism was. Disbanded 1934
   • Many politicians left Italy after 1924. Published horrors of Fascism abroad.300,000 anti Fascists fighting in Spanish Civil War
   • Communist Party leaders arrested 1926. Around 2,800 members, had success in North infiltrating factories to organize strikes. Was helped by soviet money. Non-collaboration limited impact. 1943 onwards played major role in resistance movement.
   • Criticism from Catholics despite Concordat as increasing pressure on catholic action. Critical of anti semitic decrees.
   • Fascism remained diverse. Always criticism from radicals about concordat. 1943 Grand Council voted to depose Mussolini
   • King generally supportive but secretly critical of actions. 1943 dismissed Mussolini
   • Justice & Liberty founded 1929 in Paris by Rosselli brothers. Wanted to stir up anti fascism. After their murder declined but revived 1943 during liberation struggle
   • Periodic protests, bombing, murders of policemen by italo-german & slav minorities.

2. Strikes and Demonstrations

   • Periodic illegal strikes
   • Turin 1943 major stike
   • Bologna `1930/31 protests about closing of soup kitchens
   • Trieste 1933 lack of food

3. Asasination attempts

   • Four attempts on Mussolini's life. 1925 (Rome) 1926 (Bologna suspected of being staged).
   • 1931 Bombs in Turin and Genoa

4. Propaganda

   • Underground printing of anti fascist newspapers
   • Secret press had some sucess
   • Distribution of anti fascist leaflets. Bassanesi flew over Milan July 1930, dropped 100,000 leaflets.
   • Anti fascist slogans

5. Armed Uprising.

   • 1943-45 growing resistance movement against German occupation of North
   • Communist guerrillas shot Mussolini 1945

6. Open expressions of criticism + Non conformity

   • Growing public criticism of Fascist violence (Murder of Matteotti 1923) violence repressed after 1925
   • Aventine Sucession 1924-25
   • Some critical journals survived till 1927
   • Hard to assess extent of non conformity
   • Refusal to make Fascist salute or wear Fascist uniform + anti Fascist jokes + insults