Rivendicazioni economiche e istanze politiche negli scioperi dell'Italia postunitaria (1861-1871)

This article examines some forms of urban conflict related to work activities in the first decade of the united Italy. In addition to tracing a profile of the causes and the ways in which the protests took place, these events will be placed in the politi-cal and economic context of the time in order to derive general considerations on the problems inherent in labour conflicts in the multiple urban realities of post-unification Italy. The analysis will focus on the ability of the police authorities and of the political class to elaborate strategies aimed not only at the repression of riots but also directed at investigating the origins of discontent with a non-prejudicial hostile attitude, which on various occasions allowed them to accept the demands of the strikers and to develop solutions capable, at least in theory, of improving the precarious condition of the working classes. [Publisher's text]