Turin Massacre (1864)

The Turin Massacre of 1864 (Italian: Strage di Torino) refers to the violent suppression of public demonstrations in Turin, Italy, on September 21-22, 1864. The demonstrations were sparked by the government's decision to move the capital of the newly unified Kingdom of Italy from Turin to Florence.

Following the declaration of Turin as the capital in 1861, after the establishment of the Kingdom of Italy, many Turinese citizens believed the city's status was permanent. The announcement of the move to Florence was perceived as a betrayal and a significant economic blow to the city, which had benefited from its capital status.

Public outrage quickly escalated into widespread protests. Demonstrators gathered in the streets, voicing their anger and frustration with the government's decision. The government, led by Prime Minister Marco Minghetti, responded with a forceful crackdown, deploying troops to quell the unrest.

The resulting clashes between the protesters and the military resulted in a significant number of casualties. Government troops fired on unarmed civilians, leading to the deaths of approximately 50 people (estimates vary, but this is the generally accepted figure) and hundreds more wounded. The violence shocked the nation and led to widespread condemnation of the government's heavy-handed response.

The Turin Massacre had significant political consequences. Prime Minister Minghetti's government was forced to resign shortly after the events. The incident also deepened the existing tensions between Turin and the central government, and highlighted the challenges faced by the nascent Kingdom of Italy in unifying its diverse regions and populations. The event remains a controversial and tragic chapter in Italian history.