Fasci

(; : ''fasci'') is an Italian word literally meaning 'bundle' or 'sheaf', and figuratively 'league', and which was used in the late 19th century to refer to political groups of many different (and sometimes opposing) orientations. A number of nationalist ''fasci'' later evolved into the 20th century Fasci movement, which became known as fascism.

Origin

During the 19th century the bundle of rods, in Latin called '' fascis'' and in Italian ''fascio'', came to symbolise strength through unity, the point being that whilst each independent rod was fragile, as a bundle they were strong. By extension, the word ''fascio'' came into modern Italian political usage to mean group, union, band or league. It was first used in this sense in the 1870s by groups of revolutionary democrats in Sicily, to describe themselves. The most famous of these groups was the Fasci Siciliani during 1891–94. Thereafter, the word retained revolutionary connotations. It was these connotations which made it attractive, for example, to young nationalists who demanded Italian intervention in World War I. The ''fasci'' they formed were scattered over Italy, and it was to one of these spontaneously created groups, devoid of party affiliations, Benito Mussolini belonged.By permission of author, ''Fascism'', Noël O'Sullivan, J. M. Dent & Sons, London, 1983. p. 207.

History

World War I

On 18 August 1914 Italian syndicalist Alceste de Ambris, speaking from the rostrum of the Milanese Syndical Union (USM), began a ferocious attack against neutrality in World War I and urged intervention against German reaction and the necessity of aiding France and the United Kingdom. He equated the war with the French Revolution.

This caused a deep split within the Italian Syndicalist Union (USI). The majority opted for neutrality. The Parma Labor Chamber, the USM, and other radical syndicalists left the USI and on 1 October 1914 founded the ''Fasci d'Azione rivoluzionaria internazionalista''. On October 5 Angelo Oliviero Olivetti published his manifesto in the first issue of a new series of ''Pagine libere''. Benito Mussolini shortly thereafter joined this group and took leadership.

Mussolini's split

On 11 December 1914 Mussolini started a political group, '' Fasci d'Azione Rivoluzionaria'', which was a fusion of two other movements: the above group, ''Fasci d'azione rivoluzionaria internazionalista'' and a previous group he started called the ''Fasci autonomi d'azione rivoluzionaria''.

This new group was also referred to as the Milan ''fascio'', of which Mussolini was the leader. 24 January 1915 was the turning point in the history of the ''fasci'' as their leaders met in Milan and formed a national organization.

After World War I

In 1919, after the war had ended, Mussolini reconstituted the Milan ''fascio'', using the new name '' Fasci Italiani di Combattimento''. Other ''fasci'' of the same name were created, with the common goal of opposing all those—including the king and state—whose specific leanings were deemed to be depriving Italy of the fruits of victory in the war. According to H. W. Schneider, the new Milan ''fascio'' was formed of roughly the same people who had been members of the older ''fascio'' in 1915, but with a new name and a new objective.H. W. Schneider, ''Making the Fascist State'', NY, 1928, p. 56, cited in ''Fascism'', Noël O'Sullivan, J. M. Dent & Sons, London, 1983. p. 207.

After World War II

In Italy, after World War II, the term ''fascio'' is used as a pejorative for '' neo-fascista''.

References

{{Fascism

Italian fascism
National syndicalism

it:Fascio littorio#I fasci in epoca moderna