The Socialist Party of Italy (PSI)

Party Development until 1922:

• The Italian Socialist Party was founded in 1892 as the Party of Italian Workers.

• It included some delegates of workers' associations and political parties, such as the Italian Workers' Party and the Milanese Socialist League. 

• During its early years, it was persecuted by the Italian government due to its policy of Transformismo.

Impact on the political development of Italy 

• The PSI was divided into two major branches– the Reformists and the Maximalists. One of the reasons for division was the opinions on joining the First World War.

• Mussolini and a group of others were expelled from the party as they were part of the syndicalist faction. 

• Most of those with similar views who were expelled joined the Italian Fasces of Combat, which in 1921, Mussolini renamed "The Italian Fascist Party" in 1921.