Garibaldi's Radical Legacy: Traditions of War Volunteering in Southern Europe (1861-1945)

Between the two world wars, European antifascists mobilized to fight fascism, particularly in the Spanish Civil War and Second World War. This book explores the radical and transnational tradition of war volunteering connected to Giuseppe Garibaldi's legacy in Southern Europe, highlighting its long-term, interconnected, and radical dimensions.

Format: Hardback
Length: 196 pages
Publication date: 30 November 2020
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Between the two world wars, the political circumstances of the time pushed thousands of European antifascists to take action. In this context, the Spanish Civil War and the armed resistances during the Second World War saw a significant involvement of transnational fighters. The primary motivation behind these fighters' decision to mobilize was undoubtedly the urgent need to combat fascism wherever it emerged. Despite this, there has been a lack of attention to the fact that some of these volunteers considered themselves the last representatives of a nineteenth-century tradition of armed volunteering. The endurance and persistence of war volunteering over time have rarely been explored in historical research. The purpose of this book is to reconstruct the radical and transnational tradition of war volunteering associated with Giuseppe Garibaldi's legacy in Southern Europe between the unification of Italy in 1861 and the end of the Second World War in 1945. This book aims to offer a comprehensive analysis of the long-term, interconnected, and radical dimensions of what is known as Garibaldinism.

The political climate of Europe during the interwar period was marked by a surge of fascism and a growing sense of urgency among antifascist movements. The rise of dictatorships in Europe, such as Adolf ******'s **** Germany and Benito Mussolini's Fascist Italy, posed a significant threat to democracy and human rights. In response, thousands of individuals across Europe, including many from Southern Europe, volunteered to fight against fascism in various armed resistance movements.

One of the most prominent antifascist movements during this time was the Italian Risorgimento, which aimed to unify Italy and expel foreign domination. Giuseppe Garibaldi, a prominent Italian nationalist and military leader, played a crucial role in this movement. Garibaldi's legacy is closely linked to the tradition of war volunteering that emerged during the Risorgimento.

Garibaldi's military campaigns in the late nineteenth century were characterized by their daring and innovative tactics. He used guerrilla warfare, sabotage, and unconventional military strategies to challenge the authority of the Italian government and the foreign powers that supported it. Garibaldi's military successes inspired a wave of nationalism and a sense of pride among Italians, and his followers began to volunteer for his military campaigns.

The tradition of war volunteering that emerged during the Risorgimento was characterized by its radicalism and transnationalism. Volunteers from all over Italy, as well as from other countries in Southern Europe, joined Garibaldi's military campaigns. These volunteers were drawn by a shared sense of nationalism and a desire to fight for their country's independence. They were also motivated by a belief in the power of armed resistance to challenge fascism and promote social change.

Despite the radical nature of the Risorgimento and the war volunteering that emerged from it, the tradition was not without its challenges. Many volunteers faced discrimination and persecution from the Italian government and the foreign powers that supported it. They were often labeled as traitors and criminals, and their families and communities were often subjected to violence and intimidation.

Despite these challenges, the tradition of war volunteering continued to endure and persist. Many volunteers continued to join Garibaldi's military campaigns, and their contributions played a significant role in the unification of Italy in 1861. The Risorgimento also inspired other antifascist movements in Southern Europe, such as the Spanish Civil War and the armed resistances during the Second World War.

The Spanish Civil War, which took place from 1936 to 1939, was a brutal and bloody conflict that pitted the Republican government against the fascist forces of General Francisco Franco. The Republican government was supported by a coalition of left-wing forces, including communists, socialists, and anarchists, who were opposed to Franco's authoritarian regime. The war volunteering that emerged during the Spanish Civil War was characterized by its internationalism and its commitment to social justice.

Volunteers from all over the world, including many from Southern Europe, joined the Republican government in Spain. These volunteers were drawn by a shared sense of opposition to fascism and a desire to promote social change. They were also motivated by a belief in the power of armed resistance to challenge fascism and promote social justice.

The war volunteering that emerged during the Spanish Civil War was characterized by its diversity and its commitment to social justice. Volunteers from different backgrounds and cultures joined the Republican government, and their contributions played a significant role in the resistance against Franco's fascist forces.

The war volunteering that emerged during the Spanish Civil War was also characterized by its innovative tactics. The Republican government used guerrilla warfare, sabotage, and unconventional military strategies to challenge the fascist forces. They also used the power of the media and the international community to raise awareness about the plight of the Spanish people and to mobilize support for their cause.

Despite the significant challenges that the Spanish Civil War posed, the war volunteering that emerged from it continued to endure and persist. Many volunteers continued to join the Republican government, and their contributions played a significant role in the eventual victory of the Republican government in 1939. The war also inspired other antifascist movements in Southern Europe, such as the armed resistances during the Second World War.

The Second World War, which took place from 1939 to 1945, was the most significant armed conflict in human history. It pitted the Axis powers, including Germany, Italy, and Japan, against the Allied powers, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union. The war volunteering that emerged during the Second World War was characterized by its internationalism and its commitment to social justice.

Volunteers from all over the world, including many from Southern Europe, joined the Allied forces in Europe and Asia. These volunteers were drawn by a shared sense of opposition to fascism and a desire to promote social change. They were also motivated by a belief in the power of armed resistance to challenge fascism and promote social justice.

The war volunteering that emerged during the Second World War was characterized by its diversity and its commitment to social justice. Volunteers from different backgrounds and cultures joined the Allied forces, and their contributions played a significant role in the resistance against the Axis powers.

The war volunteering that emerged during the Second World War was also characterized by its innovative tactics. The Allied forces used a combination of air power, ground power, and unconventional military strategies to challenge the Axis powers. They also used the power of the media and the international community to raise awareness about the plight of the victims of fascism and to mobilize support for their cause.

Despite the significant challenges that the Second World War posed, the war volunteering that emerged from it continued to endure and persist. Many volunteers continued to join the Allied forces, and their contributions played a significant role in the eventual victory of the Allied forces in 1945. The war also inspired other antifascist movements in Southern Europe, such as the emergence of the European Union.

In conclusion, the tradition of war volunteering that emerged during the Risorgimento and the Spanish Civil War was characterized by its radicalism and transnationalism. Volunteers from all over Italy and other countries in Southern Europe joined Garibaldi's military campaigns and other antifascist movements to fight against fascism and promote social change. Despite the challenges that these movements faced, the tradition continued to endure and persist, and its contributions played a significant role in the unification of Italy and the resistance against fascism in Spain and during the Second World War. The legacy of these movements continues to inspire antifascist movements and social justice movements around the world today.

Weight: 458g
Dimension: 161 x 241 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367000592