Lille is mentioned as a brief but consequential stop in Giacomo Matteotti’s effort to seek international support against Fascist rule. His visit to the French Socialists Congress placed the city within a sequence of political travels that ended when Benito Mussolini revoked his passport.

Matteotti’s Visit

In February, Matteotti attended the French Socialists Congress in Lille. The account identifies the city through this specific political occasion; it gives no further description of the congress or of Lille itself.

International Political Work

The visit formed part of Matteotti’s increasing travel abroad to establish alliances with French, Belgian, German, and English comrades. After Lille, he went to Paris and then Berlin, where he met with German Social Democrats. These stops show the international scope of his attempt to find allies beyond Italy.

The End of the Journey

After Matteotti returned from Germany, Mussolini had his passport revoked. The restriction cut off this course of foreign travel, making Lille one of the last named stages in an effort to build political connections abroad.