Gaetano Bresci

Gaetano Bresci (November 10, 1869 – May 22, 1901) was an Italian anarchist who assassinated King Umberto I of Italy on July 29, 1900. Bresci's act was motivated by the Bava-Beccaris massacre, in which the Italian army killed numerous civilians during protests in Milan in 1898. Bresci was born in Coiano, Prato, Italy, and emigrated to the United States, settling in Paterson, New Jersey, a hotspot for anarchist activity at the time.

Early Life

Gaetano Bresci was born into a poor family in the small town of Coiano, Prato. Little is known about his early life before he emigrated to the United States in the late 19th century. In America, Bresci became involved with the thriving anarchist community in Paterson, New Jersey, which was a center for Italian immigrant workers and political activists.

The Assassination

Dismayed by the events of the Bava-Beccaris massacre and the general condition of the working class in Italy, Bresci resolved to take action against the Italian monarchy. He returned to Italy in 1900 with the intent of assassinating King Umberto I. On July 29, 1900, during a public event in Monza, Bresci shot the king four times, killing him instantly. This act of regicide was one of the first of its kind in the 20th century and sent shockwaves through Europe.

Trial and Death

Following the assassination, Bresci was quickly arrested and put on trial. He was found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment on the island of Santo Stefano. In a departure from the death penalty, which was common for regicides, the Italian government opted for life imprisonment, possibly to avoid making Bresci a martyr. Less than a year after his sentencing, Bresci was found dead in his cell under mysterious circumstances. Official reports stated that he committed suicide, but many of his contemporaries and later historians suspect foul play.

Legacy

Gaetano Bresci's assassination of Umberto I is often cited as a pivotal moment in the history of anarchism and the labor movement in Italy and abroad. His actions were motivated by a desire to avenge the victims of state repression and to protest against the inequalities and injustices of his time. Bresci is remembered as a martyr by some within the anarchist community, while others view his act as a misguided attempt at political change.