# Communist Party of Italy

> communist political party in Italy (1921–1943)

**Wikidata**: [Q1280685](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1280685)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/communist-party-of-italy

## Summary
The Communist Party of Italy (PCd'I) was a communist political party active in the Kingdom of Italy from January 21, 1921, until its dissolution on May 15, 1943. It was a member of the Communist International and originated from a separation from the Italian Socialist Party. The party was replaced by the Italian Communist Party following its abolition.

## Key Facts
- **Active Period**: January 21, 1921 – May 15, 1943
- **Alternative Names**: PCd'I, PCdI
- **Country**: Kingdom of Italy
- **Headquarters**: Porta Venezia
- **Political Ideology**: Communism
- **Official Color**: #C80815 (SRGB color hex triplet)
- **Instance of**: Political party
- **Formation Location**: Teatro San Marco
- **Replaced By**: Italian Communist Party
- **Separated From**: Italian Socialist Party
- **Member of**: Communist International
- **General Secretaries**:
  - Amadeo Bordiga: January 21, 1921 – August 1924
  - Antonio Gramsci: August 1924 – 1927
  - Palmiro Togliatti: 1927–1934, 1938–May 15, 1943
  - Ruggero Grieco: 1934–1938
- **Chairperson**: Nicola Bombacci
- **Logo**: Available at Wikimedia Commons (Liste_1924_-_19.svg)
- **ISNI**: 0000000108075793
- **VIAF ID**: 294407897
- **Freebase ID**: /m/02qdpjx
- **Library of Congress Authority ID**: n50072107
- **Kallías ID**: KS00162155
- **NL CR AUT ID**: ko2010603711
- **Yale LUX ID**: group/ee9d7f78-d124-4e60-b041-caca54fe074d
- **BAnQ Authority ID**: 0000029834
- **Canadiana Name Authority ID**: ncf10906899
- **National Library of Latvia ID**: 000121822
- **National Library of Lithuania ID**: LNB:V*149468;=BS
- **Share Catalogue Author ID**: 560326, 565248
- **Wikipedia Languages**: Croatian (hr), Italian (it), Korean (ko), Serbo-Croatian (sh), Albanian (sq), Chinese (zh)
- **Sitelink Count**: 7

## FAQs

**Q: How was the Communist Party of Italy formed?**
A: The party was founded on January 21, 1921, at Teatro San Marco. It emerged as a separation from the Italian Socialist Party.

**Q: Who led the Communist Party of Italy?**
A: The party had five general secretaries throughout its existence: Amadeo Bordiga (1921–1924), Antonio Gramsci (1924–1927), Palmiro Togliatti (1927–1934 and 1938–1943), and Ruggero Grieco (1934–1938). Nicola Bombacci served as chairperson.

**Q: What happened to the Communist Party of Italy?**
A: The party was dissolved on May 15, 1943, and was replaced by the Italian Communist Party.

**Q: What international organization was the party affiliated with?**
A: The Communist Party of Italy was a member of the Communist International.

## Why It Matters
The Communist Party of Italy holds a significant place in 20th-century European political history as a primary communist organization operating during the interwar period. Its formation from a split with the Italian Socialist Party represented a pivotal realignment of the Italian left, establishing a distinct communist movement aligned with the Soviet-led Communist International. The party's succession by the Italian Communist Party—which became one of the largest and most influential communist parties in Western Europe—underscores its foundational importance. Figures associated with the PCd'I, particularly Antonio Gramsci, whose theoretical work on cultural hegemony originated during this period, had a profound and lasting impact on Marxist thought globally. Operating during the rise of Italian fascism, the party's history is a key subject for understanding political resistance and ideological development under authoritarian regimes.

## Notable For
- Serving as the founding entity of what would become one of Western Europe's largest communist parties through its succession by the Italian Communist Party.
- Being directly affiliated with the Communist International, linking Italian communism to the broader Soviet-aligned global movement.
- Providing the organizational platform for key Marxist thinkers and leaders, including Antonio Gramsci and Palmiro Togliatti.
- Originating from a definitive split with the Italian Socialist Party, marking a major realignment of the Italian left.
- Operating during the rise and consolidation of Italian fascism, situating it as an early opposition force.

## Body

### History and Origins
The Communist Party of Italy (PCd'I) was a political party operating within the Kingdom of Italy. It was founded on January 21, 1921. The location of its formation was Teatro San Marco. The party's creation was the result of a separation from the Italian Socialist Party. It remained active until it was dissolved, abolished, or demolished on May 15, 1943. Following its dissolution, the party was replaced by the Italian Communist Party.

### Leadership
The party was led by a series of general secretaries throughout its 22-year existence. The first general secretary was Amadeo Bordiga, who served from the party's inception on January 21, 1921, until August 1924. He was succeeded by Antonio Gramsci, who held the position from August 1924 until 1927. Palmiro Togliatti then took over the role, serving a first term from 1927 to 1934. Ruggero Grieco led the party from 1934 to 1938. Togliatti returned for a second term as general secretary from 1938 until the party's dissolution on May 15, 1943. Additionally, Nicola Bombacci served as the party's chairperson.

### Ideology and Affiliations
The Communist Party of Italy was fundamentally defined by its political ideology of communism. As a political party, it operated as an organization seeking to influence government policy and actions. The party held official membership in the Communist International, connecting it to the international communist movement. The party's official color was designated by the SRGB color hex triplet C80815.

### Operations and Presence
The party's headquarters were located in Porta Venezia. The party was recognized by its short names PCd'I and PCdI. It maintains a digital footprint, including a logo hosted on Wikimedia Commons (Liste_1924_-_19.svg), and is the subject of Wikipedia articles in six languages: Croatian (hr), Italian (it), Korean (ko), Serbo-Croatian (sh), Albanian (sq), and Chinese (zh). The entity has a total sitelink count of 7.

### Authority Control and Identifiers
The Communist Party of Italy is cataloged by numerous library and authority systems worldwide. Its International Standard Name Identifier (ISNI) is 0000000108075793. The Virtual International Authority File (VIAF) identifies the party with the ID 294407897. The Library of Congress Authority ID for the party is n50072107. Other national and catalog identifiers include:
- **Freebase ID**: /m/02qdpjx
- **Kallías ID**: KS00162155
- **NL CR AUT ID**: ko2010603711
- **Yale LUX ID**: group/ee9d7f78-d124-4e60-b041-caca54fe074d
- **BAnQ Authority ID**: 0000029834
- **Canadiana Name Authority ID**: ncf10906899
- **National Library of Latvia ID**: 000121822
- **National Library of Lithuania ID**: LNB:V*149468;=BS
- **Share Catalogue Author ID**: 560326 and 565248

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013