Occupations proceeded in a relatively peaceful manner. Th e workers' anthem was sung, and red fl ags were erected to the factory fences and chimneys. Battista Santhià, a worker on strike in Turin, described the experience: “In those days it really seemed like the future of the working class was in our hands. Th e master was overthrown from the factory which was directly managed by the workers.”

Clara E. Mattei, The Capital Order, loc. 553