Pietro Acciarito facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pietro Acciarito
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | 27 June 1871 Artena, Italy
|
| Died | 4 December 1943 (aged 72) Italy
|
| Nationality | Italian |
| Occupation | Blacksmith |
| Criminal status | Deceased |
| Conviction(s) | Attempted Murder of Umberto I |
| Criminal penalty | Life imprisonment |
Pietro Umberto Acciarito (born June 27, 1871 – died December 4, 1943) was an Italian anarchist. When he was 25 years old, he tried to attack the King of Italy, Umberto I. Anarchists are people who believe that society should not have a government or a ruling class.
Contents
Pietro Acciarito's Early Life
Pietro Acciarito was born in Artena, Italy. His family had moved there about ten years before he was born. His parents were Camillo Acciarito and Anna Jossi. Pietro's family was very poor. This was because of a building boom in Rome in the 1880s. The Italian government did not do much to help poor families during this time.
In 1885, Pietro found a job as a blacksmith at the Bank of Naples. But he was not paid fairly, so he was fired. He then tried to start his own business. However, the economy was bad, which meant he did not get many customers.
Pietro often told his friends that if he were to do something big, it would be to send a message to the Italian government. He believed the government needed to help poor people.
The Attack on King Umberto I
Pietro Acciarito became more and more unhappy. People heard him talking to himself about wanting to harm himself or an important person. His father became worried and told the police. The police could not find Pietro. So, the Police Chief of Rome, Ernesto Martelli, warned everyone to be careful around the King.
On April 20, 1897, Pietro closed his workshop for good. He visited his father and told him it would be the last time they saw each other. Pietro soon found out that the King would be at the Capannelle horse race track near Rome on April 22, 1897.
Pietro knew the King would travel along the Via Appia Nuova. He waited for him near the Porta San Giovanni. He only had a homemade knife. The King's carriage arrived at 2:00 PM. Pietro attacked the carriage and tried to hurt the King. His attempt failed, and he was quickly caught.
What Happened After the Attack
After Pietro's attack, anarchists and socialists were often bothered and arrested. This happened a lot in the Esquilino area of Rome. Many people were arrested, including the staff of a newspaper called L'Agitazione. Pietro's friends were also arrested, as they were thought to be involved. A man named Romeo Frezzi was arrested because he had a photo that included Pietro. This photo was used as proof that he and others in the picture were involved.
Romeo Frezzi became a symbol of how unfair the government was. People believed he was innocent and being treated badly. Protests started all over Italy. Even though the police claimed Pietro had helpers, there was no real proof that he was connected to any anarchists. The government then suggested new laws to control newspapers more strictly and to stop democrats and socialists from being elected.
Pietro Acciarito's trial happened on May 28-29, 1897, in Rome. The main prosecutor hoped to show a link between the attack and the anarchist movement. However, Pietro said there was no such link. He never spoke about anarchist ideas or said he was an anarchist. Pietro was found guilty. He was sentenced to life in prison. For the first seven years, he had to be in solitary confinement (alone in a cell) in chains. He was also given very little food. Pietro seemed calm and said, "Very well, me today, tomorrow the government. Long live the social revolution! Long Live Anarchy!"
Life in Prison and Later Years
Even though there was no proof, the government still claimed that an anarchist group in Ancona was responsible. The government tried to make Pietro confess who his supposed helpers were. They told him his friends were arrested. They even put another prisoner in the cell next to him who pretended to be an anarchist, hoping to gain Pietro's trust.
When these plans did not work, they tried a new, cruel plan. They tried to make Pietro believe that his girlfriend had given birth to a son. Pietro quickly became obsessed with this made-up child. He feared his child would be killed unless he cooperated and named people. Pietro asked to write to his "son." Prison officials then wrote fake letters pretending to be the child. They hoped Pietro would confess to get a pardon (forgiveness from punishment).
On December 2, 1898, Pietro signed a petition asking for a pardon. Weeks later, when he realized it was not working, he signed a second petition. This time, he named supposed helpers: "Collabona, Gudini, and Trenta." Collabona and Gudini said they were innocent. They said their only involvement was looking for Pietro on April 22 to tell him the police were searching for him. Pietro later apologized to them for naming them, believing it was necessary for his pardon.
At the hearing for his pardon, Pietro learned that the son he believed he had was not real. Pietro was very sad. He then showed the court the fake letters he had received from his "son." The lawyers for the defense asked why such a cruel trick was allowed. Prison officials said they believed it was best for the state. On July 3, 1899, the trial was stopped. But it started again quickly. Pietro then said that his past statements were not true and that he was the only person involved in the attack. On April 5, 1900, he was found not guilty of the new charges. However, he was never given a pardon for his original crime. Pietro Acciarito spent the rest of his life in prison and later in a mental hospital after being diagnosed with a mental illness.
Pietro Acciarito's Impact
Pietro Acciarito is one of several Italian anarchists who tried to attack important leaders. Other famous examples include Gaetano Bresci, who successfully killed King Umberto I. Also, Michele Angiolillo killed Antonio Cánovas del Castillo, and Sante Geronimo Caserio killed Marie François Sadi Carnot.
Images for kids
-
Pietro Umberto Acciarito
See also
In Spanish: Pietro Acciarito para niños
