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Geopolitics and Nationalism: Interpreting Friedrich Ratzel in Italian, 1898–1916

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Radicals and Reactionaries in Twentieth-Century International Thought

Part of the book series: Palgrave Macmillan History of International Thought ((PMHIT))

Abstract

The history of geopolitics in Italy has focused on the years of Fascism, when geopolitical concepts served as the basis for politics of imperial expansion led by Benito Mussolini.1 In this chapter, I explore a different and earlier history of Italian geopolitics through a leading and well-known public figure—Cesare Battisti (1875–1916). The story of Battisti and his political career seem straightforward: an Austrian politician from the Italian-speaking province of Trentino, Battisti was the socialist leader of the irredentist movement that aimed at annexing Trentino to Italy. During the First World War, he joined the Italian army, was captured by the Austrians, and courtmartialed in his native town of Trento. In the Italian historical literature and public imaginary alike, Battisti has been depicted as the ultimate martyr of Italian national unity, and thousands of streets, schools, and monuments have been named after him.2 His martyrdom has become a symbol of national unity that has been appropriated by all political factions—from socialists to liberals and fascists.

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Authors
  1. Or Rosenboim
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Ian Hall

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© 2015 Ian Hall

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Rosenboim, O. (2015). Geopolitics and Nationalism: Interpreting Friedrich Ratzel in Italian, 1898–1916. In: Hall, I. (eds) Radicals and Reactionaries in Twentieth-Century International Thought. Palgrave Macmillan History of International Thought. Palgrave Macmillan, New York. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137520623_2

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