Bava Beccaris massacre

Bava Beccaris massacre
Barricades of the rioters and intervention of the military, Milan 1898
Location	Milan, Italy
Coordinates	45°28′4″N 9°12′25″E / 45.46778°N 9.20694°E / 45.46778; 9.20694
Date	6–10 May 1898
Target	Demonstrators against rising food prices
Attack type	Massacre
Deaths	According to the government, there were 80 killed, as well as two soldiers, and 450 wounded. The opposition claimed 400 dead and more than 2,000 injured people.
Perpetrators	Royal Italian Army
Motive	Repression of food price demonstrations and riots after a steep increase of wheat prices

The Bava Beccaris massacre, named after the Italian General Fiorenzo Bava Beccaris, was the repression of widespread food riots in Milan, Italy, on 6–10 May 1898. In Italy the suppression of these demonstrations is also known as Fatti di Maggio (Events of May) or I moti di Milano del 1898 (the Milan riots of 1898). At least 80 demonstrators were killed, as well as two soldiers, and 450 wounded, according to government sources.

The overreaction of the military led to the demise of Antonio Di Rudinì and his government in July 1898 and created a constitutional crisis, strengthening the opposition. The events of May marked a height of popular discontent with government, the military and the monarchy.