A New Beginning Underground: The Anti-Fascist Resistance Takes Shape

Author: Milan Spindler

Even before Mussolini’s fall, the most important anti-fascist parties, the Italian Communist Party (PCI), the Italian Socialist Party (PSI), and Giustizia e Libertà, had begun rebuilding their organisational structures despite ongoing state repression. In autumn 1941, they established a joint anti-war committee. However, this initial attempt at organised cooperation proved largely ineffective in the face of persecution and repression.

In autumn 1942, several opposition groups united to form the Comitato di Liberazione Nazionale (CLN, National Liberation Committee), which would henceforth play a central role in the resistance. A significant step towards political coordination was the Pact of Lyon of 3 March 1943, in which the participating forces agreed on a common strategy and the preparation of an armed uprising.

By summer 1943, as the political and economic crisis deepened, the anti-fascist parties intensified their activities. Two goals now came to the fore: the withdrawal of German troops and a reckoning with fascism, potentially involving the monarchy. However, there was initial disagreement regarding the course of armed resistance.

Following Mussolini’s fall in July 1943, the political balance of power shifted noticeably. Many opposition figures who had previously been imprisoned or exiled returned to Italy. Among them were numerous activists who now began reorganising the resistance against the impending German occupation and the remaining fascist structures.