The Conversation Weekly

An enduring anti-fascist legacy in Italy

Jul 10, 2025
Juan Masullo, an assistant professor in political science, dives into Italy's rich anti-fascist legacy stemming from World War II. He discusses how the grassroots resistance against Mussolini's regime set the stage for enduring anti-fascist sentiments today. Masullo highlights a petition backed by 250,000 signatures to ban fascist propaganda, revealing a strong historical correlation with modern activism. He also explores local memorials that keep the anti-fascist spirit alive among younger generations, against a backdrop of rising far-right movements across Europe.
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INSIGHT

Italy's Large WWII Resistance Movement

  • The Italian resistance during WWII was one of Europe's largest, consisting mainly of ordinary rural people taking up arms.
  • It was crucial in liberating northern Italy from Nazi and fascist forces through guerrilla warfare tactics.
ANECDOTE

Statsema's Localized Resistance Memory

  • In Statsema, a town hit hard by Nazi massacres, locals memorialize resistance as heroic, not victimhood.
  • Memorials are deeply local, highlighting the individual stories of neighbors who fought against fascism.
ADVICE

Innovative Memorialization Strategies

  • Engage communities in memorialization through activities like hiking or gardening to connect them with history.
  • Use innovative approaches to involve non-politically engaged people and younger generations.
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