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Why did Marinetti and other Italian Futurists support Italy’s involvement in World War I?

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Umberto Boccioni: Unique Forms of Continuity in Space — Futurism *Unique Forms of Continuity in Space*, bronze sculpture by Umberto Boccioni, 1913; in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City.

Filippo Tommaso Marinetti and the Italian Futurists supported Italy’s involvement in World War I because they viewed conflict as a vital, cleansing force for society. Central to the Futurist platform was an exaltation of violence, speed, and the power of machines, which they believed represented the essence of modern life.12345

Marinetti famously characterized war as the only hygiene of the world, arguing that it would sweep away traditional cultural institutions and values that he deemed stagnant. By embracing the ruthlessness of the early 20th century, the Futurists sought to break from the past and foster a new, innovative culture. This pro-war stance was reflected in their art and literature, where they used techniques like onomatopoeia to mimic the sounds of artillery and created propaganda to promote the conflict. Ultimately, they saw the war as a mechanism to ignite Italian patriotism and propel society into a dynamic, machine-driven future.3142