Challenges Facing Italy In Quest For Great Power Status

Question 1

Lack of Italian identity

Answer 1

People loyal to their region rather than their state

70% of population illiterate and 2% of people actually spoke Italian (most spoke their local dialect)

NORTH/SOUTH DIVIDE

Question 2

Hostility of the Catholic Church

Answer 2

Refused to acknowledge Papal States and Rome being seized during unification

Question 3

Economic Weakness

Answer 3

Poverty (especially in South)

Malnutrition and malaria

Industry was underdeveloped, meaning government collected little taxes, making it difficult to expand schooling or build up armed forces

Question 4

Weaknesses of the Liberal Political System

Answer 4

Little political parties

29PM’s in 50 years

2% of population can vote

North politically and economically dominant

Due to lack of voting rights for the poor, politicians were drawn from wealthy backgrounds