Giolitti's Impact 1903-1914 Flashcards
What were the key issues Giolitti faced?
- Gaining the support of the masses, as well as keeping that of elites
- Reconcile Catholics, socialists, and nationalists into the State
When did trade unions begin emerging?
1880s and 1890s
What was the CGL?
General Confederation of Labour, controlled by the Socialists
When did the Socialist Party (PSI) become official?
1900
PSI won 20% of votes
1913
How was socialism divided?
- Minimalists wanted to use peaceful pressure
- Maximalists wanted to overthrow the system through strikes
The Italian National Association (Nationalists) emerged
1911
Who supported Nationalists?
Journalists, business interests, poets and painters
What did Nationalists want?
- Vigorous, authoritarian government
- Extinguish class warfare
What did Futurists want?
- Speed, action, conflict and violence
- Supported nationalism
Giolitti’s reforms
- Real wages rose by 25%
- Female and child labour controlled
- Franchise extended to all males aged 30+
- Increased number of professional groups (petty bourgeoisie)
- Foreign expansion (Victory in Libya 1911)
Why were Giolitti’s reforms unsuccessful?
- In pleasing one group, alienated another
- Socialism continued to grow
- Worried industrialists that Liberals would no longer defend their interest
- Weakness of government caused people to look for alternatives
- People resented Liberals for being conscripted into war they didn’t understand and had to pay taxes for
Mass unrest caused by Liberal reforms
June 1914, three demonstrators shot. Sparked riots in most cities
What was Red Week?
Two areas in Italy proclaimed themselves independent republics
Socialists failed to organise themselves
Thousands of soldiers used to restore order
