Italy 1919

Synopsis

Beginning in 1919, Italy was devastated by social, economic, and political problems. Real wages had fallen over 35 percent, shortages had developed in a wide variety of consumer goods, and prices had risen sharply. In spite of Italy having been on the winning side in World War I, it was nonetheless losing its struggle for postwar readjustment with respect to high inflation, out-of-control debt, and increasing unemployment. In the two years following the war, the Italian government was unable to turn around the nation's political and social problems with practical goals and effective policies. Workers in both industry and agriculture were actively seeking change, in some cases even resorting to violence.

The Italian Socialist Party (PSI), which eventually became the Italian Communist Party, was a labor party that reflected the class consciousness and rebelliousness of the Italian working class. Some of the party's militant...