Resisting the Far Right: The Legacy of Wartime Resistance in Italy
Across Europe, far-right parties have been making unexpected gains, from local councils to broader political arenas. Once normalized, these groups tend to promote nationalist views, challenge democratic institutions, and reshape political landscapes, often leaning heavily on historical struggles against authoritarianism.
Yet, not every community is equally receptive to these rising forces. Some actively resist, countering authoritarian ideologies and rallying to defend democratic values.
A recent study conducted in Italy sheds light on why certain communities are more attracted to far-right politics than others. Those with a history of wartime resistance appear to foster a political culture that encourages opposition to the resurgence of fascist ideologies.
In regions where anti-fascist efforts were prominent during World War II, citizens are more engaged in upholding democratic principles. Support for far-right parties tends to be minimal in these areas.
This heritage is not just happenstance; it is cultivated through persistent and conscious local memory efforts.
During the Italian Civil War (1943-1945), students, workers, farmers, and clergy banded together against the Nazi fascist powers. Their sacrifice was crucial for Italy’s liberation and the establishment of the Democratic Republic. While often recounted at the national level, this study scrutinizes its lasting local impacts.
The original dataset capturing resistance activity across approximately 8,000 Italian municipalities was leveraged to compare with areas showing robust partisan engagement. Even eight decades later, local residents with ties to historical resistance tend to support initiatives that challenge far-right ideology.
This pattern was particularly clear in response to recent grassroots campaigns. In 2020 and 2021, a movement sought to introduce laws banning public glorification of fascism. The campaign needed 50,000 signatures to trigger a Congressional discussion.
Despite the pandemic, they amassed over 240,000 signatures in a few months. Support was widespread, particularly in local governments with rich histories of resistance, which contributed about 40% more signatures than elsewhere.
These trends indicate that wartime resistance can forge a legacy that influences contemporary political actions. However, merely having the data doesn’t tell the full story—understanding how these histories endure requires field research.
We conducted studies in towns with strong roots of resistance and visible support for the 2021 initiative, exploring how these memories sustain themselves and involve community members.
In particular, we engaged with commemorative initiatives in the Cuneo region, a notable center of wartime resistance heavily impacted by Nazi brutality, home to some of the most effective partisan brigades. We also observed villages near Tuscan Statzema and Malzabot in Emilia.
One key discovery is that memory transcends mere rituals; it integrates into everyday life. Schools, hiking clubs, cultural organizations, and city halls all play a part in preserving and celebrating the ideals of resistance.
For instance, a public elementary school nestled in rural Bologna has established a “memory garden” honoring local figures who fought against fascism. Through interviews, art projects, and storytelling, students directly engage with their community’s history, creating not only memorial spaces but also connecting generations.
In addition, local alpine clubs in Emilia Romagna and Piedmont have revitalized the partisan trail, now used for memory hikes. These excursions, while not overtly political, draw participants who traverse paths rich in narratives of sacrifice and solidarity, encountering democratic values along the way.
Such emphases on memory often intensify when democratic principles are threatened. The 2021 campaign arose as support grew for parties like Lega and Fratelli d’Italia.
Another related study indicated that communities organized to advocate for vulnerable groups, especially in towns with historical resistance. Here, local “memory entrepreneurs” mobilized more vigorously in response to far-right gains.
The Political Significance of Memory
This isn’t just an isolated instance in Italy; historical memory has become a political battleground throughout Europe. In Germany, brass plaques commemorating Nazi victims serve as grassroots reminders shaping public attitudes. Meanwhile, in Hungary, activists resist governmental efforts to create “living monuments” for Holocaust victims while attempting to sanitize fascist collaborations.
The presence of these memorials also has discernible political effects. In Berlin, areas featuring Stumble Stones marked fewer votes for far-right parties compared to those without them, impacting elections from local to EU levels between 2013 and 2021.
What links these efforts is not merely the act of remembering the past but actively shaping the future. Local accounts of wartime resistance fortify democratic values and help shield communities from authoritarianism.
However, this preservation does not happen by itself. It requires collective effort from teachers, students, parents, organizations, and local authorities to keep these memories vibrant and relevant.
The appreciation of this need is urgent today, particularly as the concept of anti-fascism becomes contested. Some leaders seem to downplay the significance of historical resistance, replacing genuine narratives with revisionist myths.
When communities embrace their history, they become more likely to uphold democratic principles—not just in formal settings but also in everyday actions. The past is not just something we look back on; the legacy of wartime resistance continues to shape perspectives on democracy, justice, and belonging. In the current climate, remembering this resistance is not merely homage; it serves as a vital defense for citizens.
