How effective was the government in dealing with Italy's problems following WW1 Flashcards
1
Q
1) What was the mutilated victory?
A
- Paris Peace Conference 1919 - Allies refused to give Italy’s promised North African colonies and money from the Treaty of London (1915) as Italy didn’t perform as well.
- Forced Orlando to resign and his replacement, Nitti worsened this by choosing to downplay Italy’s claims to not jeopordaise its relationship with the Allies - gave up territories, cut military spending and issued an amnesty for deserted soldiers.
- INCREASED anger form nationalists/military.
2
Q
What was the social cost of the victory?
A
- Increased divisions between classes and the liberal govt (particularly by ex-soldiers).
- 600,000 soldiers killed and 950,000 wounded.
- Divide between returning soldiers and exempted industrial workers - deemed cowards who got rich whilst the soldiers risked their lives.
- Workers, peasants and socialists and trade unions were disgusted by the costs of conflict, inspired by the Russian Revolution.
3
Q
What was the territorial costs of the war?
A
- Paris Peace Conference - debated to try secure the terms, or to support Wilson in his ‘move for national self-determination’ by accepting a loss of territory.
- Treaty of Saint Germaine (1919) - Italy gained Trentino, Trieste and Istria.
- Nitti allowed Yugoslavia to take Dalmatia, and Fiume to be a neutral city under protection of the LON - lost colonial territories in Africa, Asia and any claim on Albania.
- Nationalists and military agreed Italy was robbed of its’ rightful gains.
4
Q
Economic and social discontent
2) Post-war social-economic crisis
A
Differed for varying social groups.
- Debt rose from 16B to 85B + inflation.
- Industrialists prospering during the war for production bc of military demand fell post-war as profits decreased.
- 1919-1920 = known as Bienno Rosso. Dismal economic conditions encouraged support for extremist views like the socialists in strikes and occupations, which spread to the countryside.
- Weak Govt and unstable coalitions continued from 1919 and Mussoi becoming PM in 1922. Transformiso survived the war years but unlikely to have a genuine, long-lasting democratic govt - missed the chance to involve disenfranchised groups like the workers and Catholics.
5
Q
Impact of discontent
A
Disastrous consequences for the Lib state = weak govt, economic instability, social unrest and the mutilated victory contributed to the rise of fascism.
6
Q
Political reforms 1919
A
Hoped that it could ease the public anger by allowing more Italians to play a role in the political system.
- Extended suffrage 11 million - a new law allowed all Italians who served at the front and men 21+ male to vote.
- Changed the method of voting to proportional representation - public has greater influence over which parties are elected.
7
Q
Social Reforms
A
- Done to benefit the masses: bread subsidies, an 8-hour working day, a simpler and fairer tax system and legalisation of some land occupations.
- INCREASED ELITE FEAR of a Bolshevik-style revolution and ANGER of the MIDDLE/UPPER CLASS that the lib govt didn’t offer them protection from the workers and peasants - turned to fascists squads.
8
Q
Was the threat of socialism geniune?
A
- The fear was greater than the actual threat because of propaganda from both sides.
- Fear remained but threat fell post 1919 - some wages increased and fewer days were lost to strikes. Additionally, workers and peasants became disillusioned with socialism after 1920 - failed to reform or even overthrow the liberal system.
9
Q
3) Result and impact of the 1919 General Election
A
- First time held under universal suffrage, PR system and with Catholic candidates = offers a genuine opportunity to strengthen the liberal system, making the govt more representative of Italian interest.
- PSI won the majority with 156 seats, while the liberals didn’t do as well with 96 seats. This worried the middle class and elites as the party was dedicated to overthrowing the state, contributing to the rise of fascism because of this fear of socialism.
10
Q
4) Growth of the Socialist Party
A
- More industrialists joined the PSI as the economy worsened (reached 200,000 by 1919).
- Through the elections, it became the largest party - swept through the northern cities and gained 32.4% of the national vote.
11
Q
4) Growth of the Catholic Party
A
- Founded the PPI Party (led by Sturzo) after the Pope lifted his ban on such an organisation.
- Appealed to the conservative Catholics and some socialists interested in improving the conditions of the peasantry in the countryside.
- Party united through opposition to PLI and the PSI’s anti-clerical stance.
- Made it difficult for the liberal elite to retain the Catholic vote at a particularly troubled time.
12
Q
How did the Catholic and Socialist party contribute to the rise of fascism?
A
- Contributed, potentially as Catholic and Socialist unions failed to form alliances to fight against the fascist onslaught against both in the 1920s.
- Because of their different values (socialists were anticlerical) and fascists exploiting this socialist fear by the middle class and elites.
13
Q
5) Occupation of Fiume
A
- Little rewards from the war and the fear of socialism encouraged nationalistic hostility towards Liberals.
- D’Annunzio, a pro-interventionist poet seized, on Sept 12th, 1919, the contested port of Fiume (neutral city) with 2,000 men.
- Ruled for 15 months before removal by the Italian navy on Christmas Day 1920 (Treaty of Rapallo).
14
Q
Impact of the occupation of Fiume
A
- D’Annunzio was popular across Italy, demonstrated that the Italian govt lacked the will or capacity to end the occupation.
- Inspired Mussolini that success is possible through direct, violent action but he feared D’Annunzio would be a potential rival for the leadership of Italy.
- Managed to skilfully remove him by giving a title, land and finance in exchange to not engage in politics until his death in 1938 (accepted).
