upon the rejection of these conditions, there was an outburst of strikes that rapidly spread throughout the island, and was marked by violent social conflict, almost rising to the point of insurrection. the leaders of the movement were not able to keep the situation from getting out of control. the proprietors and landowners asked the government to intervene. giovanni giolitti tried to put a halt to the manifestations and protests of the fasci siciliani, his measures were relatively mild. on november 24, giolitti officially resigned as prime minister. in the three weeks of uncertainty before crispi formed a government on 15 december 1893, the rapid spread of violence drove many local authorities to defy giolitti's ban on the use of firearms.