Antonio Gramsci 1921
The development of fascism
Unsigned, L'Ordine Nuovo, 21 July 1921.
Text from Antonio Gramsci "Selections from political writings (1921-1926)", translated and edited by Quintin Hoare (Lawrence and Wishart, London 1978). Transcribed to the www with the kind permission of Quintin Hoare.
The events of Grosseto, Viterbo and Treviso are the initial
phase of a new and definitive development of fascism. Punitive
expeditions by small bands are giving way to actions by veritable
army units, armed with machine-guns. In some areas fascist cavalry
is making its appearance. In Siena, thousands upon thousands of
fascists assembled, on the pretext of a provincial congress, to
parade in military order with their own cavalry.
It would be foolish to believe that all this has only a
choreographic significance. It is clear, in fact, that the local
fascist formations are obeying a central directive and applying a
minutely prearranged plan. Before long the Treviso episode, which
so greatly stirred public opinion, will be surpassed by quite
other sensational events. It seems that Turin is to be the scene
of the next grandiose fascist exploit. It is said that between ten
and fifteen thousand fascists will be demobilized, from all over
the Po valley, to attack Turin and definitively crush its
proletarian movement. Those in charge of public security allegedly
know something about it: the Milan chief of police, Commander
Gasti, who concerns himself so "lovingly" with L'Ordine Nuovo,
allegedly knows something very definite about it.
There is every guarantee that these rumours are serious, and
the working masses must be seriously concerned. The revolts
against fascism which are now multiplying throughout the country
contain the hope of a rebirth of popular energies; but they should
also cause the weight of responsibility to be more keenly
felt. The more it is shown that the people are not prepared to
submit to white terror, the more it is necessary to foresee that
fascism will extend, intensify and organize its activity. The very
probability of socialist collaboration with the government
increases the danger of a fascist coup de main. It is certain that
the socialists will give their support to the government only if
the government gives assurances that it will repress fascism. And
it is also certain that fascism will not want to lose the position
of predominance which it occupies in so many regions
today. "Pacification 1136 is only a thin mask designed to allow
them to continue with impunity the preparation and military
organization of veritable armies to counterpose to the government
and to the socialists.
After the episodes of Grosseto and Treviso, which have remained
unpunished, a fascist attack on the great working-class cities is
to be expected. We once again ask the General Confederation of
Labour whether it hag prepared a plan of defence, that will permit
the local populations to be aided and assisted in any efforts they
may make to resist the reactionary offensive - which undoubtedly
also has "tradeunion" consequences and implications. We ask the
same question of the Railwaymen's Union.
The local populations, however, do not have much to hope for
from these bodies, which have completely lost any sense of
historical reality. It is up to the local forces to give thought
to their own defence. Viterbo and Sarzana have given the example
of what must be done. 37 We hope that in the big cities, another
force too will come into play: the soldiers, who have everything
to fear from a fascist government. A fascist coup d'état
would mean a war, and not only in the East. The popular masses who
want peace, freedom and bread must, in this period of dark onrush
of events, always hold themselves ready to spring up as one man
against every danger of new carnage and suffering threatened by
the so heroic exploits of fascism.