Foreign policy in 1911: Italy and Libya

Question 1

What were some of the reasons for Italy’s invasion of Libya?

Answer 1

• Italy wanted to assert colonial claims in North Africa
• Powerful Italian business agreements pushed for the invasion
• Popular opinion - Italian people were strongly in favour of invasion

Question 2

Who did the Italians end up having to fight?

Answer 2

• Both the Turks and Arabs - succeeded through diplomatic pressure

Question 3

Why was the Libyan war not quite the success it should have been?

Answer 3

• War was extremely costly - 1,300 million lire
• 3,500 Italian troops were killed
• Arabs continued to resist Italian control for many years - Italy had to keep a large number of troops after the war

Question 4

Why was the Libyan war not a straightforwardly positive for Giolitti’s government?

Answer 4

• Giolitti could take credit for the military victory and the acquisition of Italy’s first colony
• On the other hand, Nationalists claimed responsibility for pushing Giolitti into taking action - gaining popularity as a result

Question 5

How did the Libyan War effect the political situation?

Answer 5

• Nationalists blamed Giolitti for loss of life and the cost of war - reducing support
• Led Nationalists and Catholics into a temporary alliance - weakening the Socialists

Question 6

What was another unexpected consequence of the war?

Answer 6

• Extension of the electoral franchise in 1912 to all literate males over the age of 21
• Intended to unify Italians by showing conscripted men their value to society
• Made government more difficult

Question 7

What was the impact of the franchise extension?

Answer 7

• Made government more difficult - adding more voters to an already split and confused gov
• Led to Giolitti forming a coalition with the Catholic Union - resulted in Radicals and Socialists (large majority) no longer collaborating

Question 8

In the 1913 elections, Giolitti’s liberals won fewer seats as…

Answer 8

• Declined from 370 - 318 - still had comfortable majority

Question 9

By 1914…

Answer 9

• Giolitti was facing opposition from all sides
• People turned to support a more aggressive form of politics due to rising tensions