ABSTRACT
Paradoxical as it may seem, the relationship between Italian Fascism and violence is far from obvious. The book aims to examine this relationship by investigating what happened to the perpetrators of Fascist violence (the so-called squadristi) after Fascism seized power in October 1922. Through an examination of the reasons and expectations, political aims and social strategies of the Blackshirts, the book argues that squadrista violence did not end in 1922 but actually proved crucial in shaping the fundamental features of the dictatorship. Despite its essential role, post-1922 violence has been largely understudied. The introduction thus sketches an historiographical account in order to explain this state of affairs. Then, it explains the methodological tools by which the book aims to overcome such a gap, starting from the importance of taking into account the individual and personal reasons for the Blackshirts’ violence. The time frame (1922–1932, with some analyses extending to 1945) and geographical boundaries (Northern-Central Italy) of the study are outlined. Despite many ups and downs, Fascist violence constituted a key element in the project of converting the Italian authorities and Italian society to Fascism, a project pursued not just by extremists but also by Mussolini himself.
