Starting in the mid-1920s, Italians living in São Paulo and across Brazil faced increasing pressure from Benito Mussolini's government in Italy to adopt fascist ideologies. The dictator was consolidating power and sought to organize and discipline Italian immigrant colonies abroad, attempting to gain adherence especially among the labor movement and youth. His strategy included forming extremist factions and establishing ambassadors of the regime in South America.

Mussolini's approach relied heavily on controlling various institutions within the Italian community, such as the press, schools, and other organizations. Newspapers were a primary target, and many, like the influential Fanfulla, aligned with fascist thought, while others, such as the bilingual La Fiamma, were established specifically to promote his agenda. The tensions within the community were further exacerbated by conflicts in social clubs like the Clube Palestra Itália, which is known today as Palmeiras, where divisions between fascists and antifascists became apparent.

The implications of this ideological battle had lasting effects on the Italian immigrant experience in Brazil, highlighting how external political movements could influence local community dynamics. The article sheds light on the historical complexity of immigrant identities and political affiliations, as well as the broader impact of fascism beyond Italy's borders during this tumultuous period.