Author: Milan Spindler

The emergence of an armed anti-fascist resistance movement in Italy can only be understood in the context of the political developments during the fascist period and the Second World War. In the years leading up to Italy’s entry into the war in 1940, the anti-fascist opposition had been largely neutralised, and Mussolini’s regime enjoyed broad support across society. A decisive turning point came with the political and military upheavals of spring and summer 1943, culminating in the overthrow of Benito Mussolini. During this period, the anti-fascist resistance began to reconstitute itself, and opposition parties started to converge. The armistice with the Allies on 8 September 1943 marked the beginning of the Resistenza, a turning point in Italy’s wartime history.