The activity and influence of the American Red Cross in Italy during and after World War one (1917–1919)

Abstract

ABSTRACT During the First World War, the Italian people became familiar with the American khaki uniform not from the presence of combat units, which hardly appeared in Italy, but rather from the American Red Cross (ARC) workers, who arrived immediately after the disastrous rout of Caporetto (October/November 1917). Throughout Italy, they were the most visible representatives of mythical America, its munificence, effectiveness and concern for the common man. Relief for wounded and sick soldiers was but a small part of ARC activity: more than two thirds of its total expenditure was upon civilians. In fact, its greatest mission was to put new heart into all components of Italian society. It was there not only to heal combatants’ wounds, but also to minister to the ‘wounds of the spirit’ of the population, in terms of demoralization, unrest and attraction towards revolutionary violence. Accordingly, it extended its activity over the entire country, from the Alps to the islands, dividing it into 16 districts, each under a Red Cross delegate. At the end of the war, the organization’s staff numbered 949 US employees, along with approximately 1000 Italian workers. In all, more than 7000 cities, towns and villages were reached by Red Cross representatives. Its substantial donations of material aid went to soldiers, hospitals, refugees, orphans and needy families. The Italian campaign was second only to the French in terms of budget and range. Besides emergency work, it comprised long-term projects, such as the construction of a village for refugees near Pisa, nursing schools and strategies for the prevention of tuberculosis, which in effect became pilot projects for European reconstruction and civilian aid in general in peacetime.