Charter of Carnaro
Encyclopedia
The Charter of Carnaro (Carta del Carnaro in Italian
) was the constitution of the Italian Regency of Carnaro
, a short-lived government in Fiume (Rijeka), proclaimed by Gabriele D'Annunzio
on 8 September 1920. Following the Treaty of Rapallo
the regime of D'Annunzio was ousted by Italian military forces at Christmas 1920, and by 31 December the Free State of Fiume
had been established. Misleadingly the Charter of Carnaro is sometimes also referred to as the "Constitution for the free state of Fiume" even if it has no relation to the Free State.
The constitution combined anarchist
, proto-fascist
, and democratic republican
ideas. D'Annunzio is often seen as a precursor of the ideals and techniques of Italian fascism. His own explicit political ideals emerged in Fiume when he coauthored with syndicalist
Alceste De Ambris
. De Ambris provided the legal and political framework, to which D'Annunzio added his skills as a poet. The charter is notorious for designating "music
" to be the fundamental principle of the state.
, with nine corporations to represent the different sectors of the economy, where membership was mandatory, plus a tenth corporation devised by D'Annunzio, to represent the "superior individuals" (e.g. poets, "heroes" and "supermen"). The other nine were as follows:
was influenced by the Fascist portions of the constitution, and by D'Annunzio's style of leadership as a whole. As the Fascist movement came to power in Italy, D'Annunzio moved towards it, and became close with Mussolini. De Ambris, however, was a staunch opponent of Fascism, calling the movement "a filthy pawn."
Italian language
Italian is a Romance language spoken mainly in Europe: Italy, Switzerland, San Marino, Vatican City, by minorities in Malta, Monaco, Croatia, Slovenia, France, Libya, Eritrea, and Somalia, and by immigrant communities in the Americas and Australia...
) was the constitution of the Italian Regency of Carnaro
Italian Regency of Carnaro
The Italian Regency of Carnaro was a self-proclaimed state in the city of Fiume led by Gabriele d'Annunzio between 1919 and 1920.-Impresa di Fiume:...
, a short-lived government in Fiume (Rijeka), proclaimed by Gabriele D'Annunzio
Gabriele D'Annunzio
Gabriele D'Annunzio or d'Annunzio was an Italian poet, journalist, novelist, and dramatist...
on 8 September 1920. Following the Treaty of Rapallo
Treaty of Rapallo, 1920
The Treaty of Rapallo was a treaty between the Kingdom of Italy and the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes , signed to solve the dispute over some territories in the upper Adriatic, in Dalmatia and in the region which became known as the Julian March.The treaty was signed on 12 November 1920 in...
the regime of D'Annunzio was ousted by Italian military forces at Christmas 1920, and by 31 December the Free State of Fiume
Free State of Fiume
The Free State of Fiume was an independent free state which existed between 1920 and 1924. Its territory of comprised the city of Fiume and rural areas to its north, with a corridor to its west connecting it to Italy.-History:Fiume gained autonomy for the first time in 1719 when it was proclaimed...
had been established. Misleadingly the Charter of Carnaro is sometimes also referred to as the "Constitution for the free state of Fiume" even if it has no relation to the Free State.
The constitution combined anarchist
Anarchism
Anarchism is generally defined as the political philosophy which holds the state to be undesirable, unnecessary, and harmful, or alternatively as opposing authority in the conduct of human relations...
, proto-fascist
Fascism
Fascism is a radical authoritarian nationalist political ideology. Fascists seek to rejuvenate their nation based on commitment to the national community as an organic entity, in which individuals are bound together in national identity by suprapersonal connections of ancestry, culture, and blood...
, and democratic republican
Republican democracy
A republican democracy is a republic which has democratic forms of government. One of the key principles is free and open debate prior to casting a vote. A republic in the modern understanding is a nation or state where the people are sovereign. It is not a monarchy, where the king or queen is the...
ideas. D'Annunzio is often seen as a precursor of the ideals and techniques of Italian fascism. His own explicit political ideals emerged in Fiume when he coauthored with syndicalist
Syndicalism
Syndicalism is a type of economic system proposed as a replacement for capitalism and an alternative to state socialism, which uses federations of collectivised trade unions or industrial unions...
Alceste De Ambris
Alceste De Ambris
Alceste De Ambris , was an Italian syndicalist, the brother of Amilcare De Ambris. De Ambris had a major part to play in the agrarian strike actions of 1908.-Life:De Ambris was born in Licciana Nardi, province of Massa-Carrara....
. De Ambris provided the legal and political framework, to which D'Annunzio added his skills as a poet. The charter is notorious for designating "music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
" to be the fundamental principle of the state.
Corporations
The constitution established a corporatist stateCorporatism
Corporatism, also known as corporativism, is a system of economic, political, or social organization that involves association of the people of society into corporate groups, such as agricultural, business, ethnic, labor, military, patronage, or scientific affiliations, on the basis of common...
, with nine corporations to represent the different sectors of the economy, where membership was mandatory, plus a tenth corporation devised by D'Annunzio, to represent the "superior individuals" (e.g. poets, "heroes" and "supermen"). The other nine were as follows:
- Industrial and Agricultural Workers
- Seafarers
- Employers
- Industrial and Agricultural Technicians
- Private Bureaucrats and Administrators
- Teachers and Students
- Lawyers and Doctors
- Civil Servants
- Co-operative Workers
Executive
The executive power would be vested in seven ministers (rettori):- Foreign Affairs
- Treasury
- Education
- Police and Justice
- Defense
- Public Economy
- Labor
Legislature
The legislative power was vested in a bicameral legislature. Joint sessions of (Arengo del Carnaro), would be responsible for treaties with foreign powers, amendments to the constitution, and appointment of a dictator in times of emergency.- Council of the Best (Consiglio degli Ottimi) - Elected by universal suffrage for a 3 year term - 1 councilor per 1000 population Responsible for legislation concerning civil and criminal justice, police, armed forces, education, intellectual life and relations between the central government and communes
- Council of Corporations (Consiglio dei Provvisori) - 60 members chosen by nine corporations for a 2 year term - Responsible for laws regulating business and commerce, labor relations, public services, transportation and merchant shipping, tariffs and trade, public works, medical and legal professions
Judiciary
Judicial power vested in the courts- Supreme Court, (Corte della Ragione, literally "Court of Reason")
- Communal Courts, (Buoni Uomini, literally "Good Men")
- Labour Court (Giudici del Lavoro)
- Civil Court (Giudici Togati, literally "Judges in toga")
- Criminal Court (Giudici del Maleficio)
Impact
Benito MussoliniBenito Mussolini
Benito Amilcare Andrea Mussolini was an Italian politician who led the National Fascist Party and is credited with being one of the key figures in the creation of Fascism....
was influenced by the Fascist portions of the constitution, and by D'Annunzio's style of leadership as a whole. As the Fascist movement came to power in Italy, D'Annunzio moved towards it, and became close with Mussolini. De Ambris, however, was a staunch opponent of Fascism, calling the movement "a filthy pawn."
See also
- Doctrine of FascismDoctrine of Fascism"The Doctrine of Fascism" is an essay written by Giovanni Gentile, but credit is given to Benito Mussolini. It was first published in the Enciclopedia Italiana of 1932, as the first section of a lengthy entry on "Fascismo"...
- Gabriele D'AnnunzioGabriele D'AnnunzioGabriele D'Annunzio or d'Annunzio was an Italian poet, journalist, novelist, and dramatist...
- RijekaRijekaRijeka is the principal seaport and the third largest city in Croatia . It is located on Kvarner Bay, an inlet of the Adriatic Sea and has a population of 128,735 inhabitants...
External links
- http://www.reakt.org/fiume/charter_of_carnaro.html
- http://worldatwar.net/nations/other/fiume/
- http://www.karr.net/Constitution_of_Fiume/etexts.htm