Giolitti Flashcards
what did Salvemini call GG?
“master of the underworld”
What was Giolittismo?
Proved himself to be a master of the political system.
Like Crispi and Depretis, he was a manipulator but unlike them knew what was needed to restore Italy.
How did GG aim to unite Italy?
1) Reduce class differences
2) Balancing the demands of various political and social groups.
How did GG aim to balance to balance the demands of various political and social groups?
sought the cooperation of the socialists and catholics and showed a willingness to work with other PPs and adopt their ideals.
Thus drawing them to the centre ground of Italian politics.
Why was GG a contradiction?
used corrupt means to achieve his liberal aims- “Giolittismo”
What happened in 1904?
GG sparingly involved the military to deal with a general strike (to avoid public hostility).
Used the occasion to appeal to Italians to reject pol extremism.
Even offers socialist deps an alliance- DECLINED.
His approach frightens industrials and latifundia.
What did the government provide in 1904?
Govt arbiters to deal with industrial disputes (CORPORATISM)
When was Red Week?
June 1914
What started Red Week?
violent strikes occurred in Ancona and Romagna when strikers confronted strike breakers hired by local employers.
Who egged on Red Week?
The LW press- especially BM (Avanti!)
What happened in Red Week?
- rioters took to the street in Ancona and then formed a local commune.
- In Romagna, shops looted & railway tracks destroyed. Declared itself an independent republic.
How many soldiers did GG have to send to restore order during Red Week?
100k
Why did Red Week fail?
- movement lacked good leadership & organisation- once faced with force the GS collapsed.
- order was restored but a residue of discontent remained- culminated in Biennio Rosso?
Why was GG lucky in his early years of office?
Because it coincided with a period of economic boon & industrial expansion.
What was the impact of rapid industrial development?
- unemployment reduced
- Italy’s trade with rest of world DOUBLED
What companies were founded during this period of economic boon?
- Fiat (1899)
- Alfa Romeo (1910)
When were the railways nationalised?
1904
What was the impact of nationalisation of railways?
resulted in better public services and improved transport facilities for manufacturers and exporters.
What did GG want to do with the improving national finances?
ensure that this newfound prosperity would be spent on social reform to benefit the poorer classes.
GG reforms: workers
- factory conditions to be supervised
- steps taken to encourage accident prevention
- working hours regulated
- targeted the employment of kids and women
GG reforms: agricultural reform- why?
The fact that 1/2M (mainly from the S) were emigrating annually suggested urgent need for agricultural reform.
GG reforms: agricultural reform
- increased expenditure to provide water & improved communications in rural areas
- OAP & healthcare insurance introduced
- Tax on salt removed
- public holidays legally enforced
Despite the Coppino Law, how much of the pop was still illiterate?
50%
Education: 1911
responsibility for education was taken from local communities and passed to provincial authorities.
When were CoD members first paid?
1911 (same year B MPs first paid)
What was the Electoral Law 1912?
-extended the franchise to all men over 30- literate or not- as well as to all men of any age serving in the armed forces.
What did the 1912 Electoral Law increase the electorate to?
9M- would shoot GG in the foot lol
symbols for illiterate on ballot card
Did GG’s reforms please everyone?
NO
Radical LW- did not go far enough
Right- went too far
UCs & MCs alarmed by the concessions made to socialists- started to Q whether liberalism served their best interests.
Why did GG resign in March 1914?
disagreed over Italy’s involvement in WW1.
What scandal was he involved in?
The Banca Romana scandal (1893)
60,000 lire
Caused him to resign
What happened in the 1913 election?
Libs win election (300 seats) as PPI agree to work with them.
- promised church schools
- promised to ban divorce
As a result, mod. socialists abandoned him.
