Bava Beccaris massacre in Milan

Background. In 1897, the Italian wheat harvest fell significantly, dropping from an average of 3.5 million tonnes to 2.4 million tonnes. Import costs rose due to the Spanish-American War, causing wheat prices in Milan to surge from 225 to 330 lire per tonne in April 1898. Despite tariff reductions, the economic hardship fueled widespread unrest and food riots in the city.

Repression. General Fiorenzo Bava Beccaris, a veteran of the wars of independence that had unified Italy, was ordered to Milan. As extraordinary commissar of the city, he ordered his soldiers to fire on demonstrators who had erected several barricades during a strike, and used artillery as well. On 9 May 1898, artillery breached the walls of a monastery outside Porta Monforte, but instead of protestors the troops found a group of beggars who were there to receive alms from the friars.

Aftermath. The overreaction of the military led to the fall of Antonio di Rudinì's government in July 1898 and created a constitutional crisis, strengthening the opposition. In recognition of his action, Bava Beccaris received the Great Cross of the Order of Savoy from King Umberto I in June 1898. On 29 July 1900, the king was assassinated in Monza by the anarchist Gaetano Bresci, who said he had come directly from the United States to avenge the victims of the repression and the insult of the decoration awarded to Bava Beccaris.