How secure was liberal Italy in 1914 Flashcards
Explain how astonishing the two years over which the risorgimento took place
In 1859 Italians were divided and ruled by foreigners. Most states has absolute rulers with no elected parliament. Within two years there had been a mass uprising; Austria had been defeated; most of Italy had been united and this new state was ruled by a constitutional monarchy with an elected parliament
What would this remarkable risorgimento suggests about the new state
Seems like a triumph for nationalism that would suggest a strong and unified nation
What factors prevented Italy from being a strong unified state in practise
Cavour had not intended to create a new unified Italy, but only an enlarged state in the north
Most of the initial fighting done to expel to Austrians came from French troops
In 1866 it was the Prussians, rather than the Italians, who were victorious over the Austrians
Most of those who participated in the popular uprising in 1860 in Sicily did not even know what the word ‘Italy’ even meant
More Italians were to die rebelling against ‘their’ new government in the 1860s than died fighting for it during the risorgimento years
Nationalists like Garibaldi and Mazzini were disappointed with the new Italy, as it did little to improve the lives of the Italian masses
A new Italian state had been created; but the economic and social structures largely remained the same
At first only 2% of the people had the franchise
Austria ruled north east Italy until 1866
The Pope ruled Rome until 1870
Austria kept Trentino and the South Tyrol in North Italy
What do some historians argue the risorgimento is connected to
The fascists coming to power
What were the two differing attitudes to the risorgimento within Italy
Nationalist saw it as a great triumph for popular Italian national feeling
Critics saw it as a product of diplomatic manoeuvres, led by French and Italian politicians, who were distrustful of the masses. In this view the Italian state was flawed from the offset
Who was Antonio Grmasci
An Italian Marxist imprisoned by the fascists
What did he say about the failure of the risorgimento
The risorgimento leaders said they were aiming at the creation of a modern Italian state and they produced a bastard.
Aimed at forming an extensive and energetic ruling class and failed.
Aimed at integrating the public into the framework of the new state and failed
The rebellious nature of the Italian people between 1870-1900 was a consequence of this failure
What happened to the risorgimento movement in 1848-9
Series of revolts throughout Italy. Piedmont led a war for independence against Austria but was defeated
List the 8 main steps in unification
Cavour does a deal with Napoleon III to help expel Austria. Wants to create an independent Italian state in the north and centre, but not include the backward south
French and Piedmontese defeat the Austrians at Magenta and Solferino. Piedmont takes over Lombardy and the central Duchies but not Explain lack of serious debate as a disadvantage of invisible primaries Venetia which Austria retains
Garibaldi organises an expedition to unify Italy and march on Rome. Joins a peasant revolt in Sicily and conquers Sicily in Naples
Piedmontese troops occupy much of the papal states to link up with Garibaldi and he hands over his conquests to Emmanuel II
1861 new Kingdom of Italy proclaimed in Turin
Prussia and Italy fight Austria. Italy lose but Prussia win. Austria hands Venetia to Italy
In 1862 and 1867 Garibaldi leads two failed attempts to march on Rome
In 1870 Prussia defeats France who withdraws its troops from Rome. Italian troops move in. Rome becomes the capital of a fully unified Italian state
Why do many historians say that the rise of fascism was a consequence of the risorgimento
As a direct result of the Italy was created but not fully unified, the new Italian state suffered a number of weaknessess. The new Liberal state was unwilling or unable to tackle these, and this made Italy susceptible to the appeal of fascism
What domestic problems with the risorgimento state led to the rise of fascism
Lack of popular involvement in making Italy meant that the mass of people did not identify with the new Italian state. This was made was by the fact that they were not given the franchise in this new state
The unification process was dominated by the wealthy and educated elite, who were not committed to the major social reforms that would have been necessary to improve the living standards of the masses
The Pope was hostile to the new liberal state
The makers of Italy had not intended to include the backward south and they neglected its problems
Debts incurred in the wars of unification meant that the govt imposed high taxes and restricted spending on social reforms
What foreign policy problems with the risorgimento state led to the rise of fascism
Reliance on foreign armies to unify Italy contributed to a national inferiority complex and a desire to show that Italy was a great power
Italy’s failure to defeat Austria in 1866 left them in control of irredenta land
What was the overall reason that risorgimento state would lead to fascism `
The creation of the new state raised expectations of social reform and national greatness which were not fulfilled by liberal Italy, and which fascism offered to deliver
What did govt minister D’Azeglio famously state after formal unification
We have made Italy. Now we must make Italians
What would the new Italian people need to see if they were to be won over by the liberal state
Success in domestic and foreign policy
How did Italy compare to other powers in terms of steel production
Italy - 0.7 million tonnes
GB - 6.5 million tonnes
Germany - 13.7 million tonnes
France - 3.4 million tonnes
How did they compare to the major powers in terms of the value of foreign trade by 1913
Italy - $1.8 billion
France - $2.2 billion
Germany - $4.3 billion
GB - $7.5 billion
What % of the south had roads by the 1890s
Just 10%
What were the major industries
Silk and engineering
How did deaths per 1000s compare to Britain in the 1880s
29 in the south
26 in the north
19 in GB
How did opposition from the church hinder the liberals
Pope told Catholics they would be excommunicated if they interacted with the new state
Some priests helped stir up unrest amongst the peasantry
How did economic problems hinder the liberals
Government debt
High taxes on the poor
North south divide accentuated through northern industrialisation
Frequent unrest, especially in Sicily; 1860s and 1893-4 saw major revolts
How did political problems hinder the liberals
Limited suffrage meant most Italians were uninvolved in the new state apart from paying taxes and being conscipted into the army
Politicians were seen as corrupt
Instability due to frequent changes in govt
How did foreign policy hinder the liberals
Italian irredenta kept by Austria after 1866
Govt had inferiority complex
Defeat at Adowa
Why was the franchise so limited
The liberals who controlled the unification process didn’t think ordinary Italians had the ability to participate in govt. They believed in a parliament, but one that was chosen by the wealthy educated elite rather than the masses. This right for the masses would come later after wealth and education had spread. However, most liberals didn’t even think that spreading wealth was important, as balancing the budget and building up military might were far more important
What did the constitution do
Laid down the powers of the monarch and guaranteed basic individual rights like free speech and religious freedom
How was the franchise extended over time
Raised to 25% of adult males in 1882 and then most adult males in 1912
How were govts formed
Groups of politicians did deals among themselves. An ambitious politician could try and gain enough support from other deputies to form a govt. This might mean winning over former opponents by offering them certain jobs, favours, or services for their constituency
What was this political manoeuvring known as
The transformismo
Give a quote from Crispi describing the transformismo system in the 1890s in the assembly
‘Utter pandemonium, especially when an important vote comes along. Government agents run through rooms and down corridors, collecting votes and promising subsidies, decorations, canals and bridges’
Why was the transformismo system such a problem
Created the impression that politics was all about deals. This increased the sense of alienation the masses felt from the system
Describe how corruption was prevalent in local govt
The central govt appointed prefects, who vitrually ran the provinces, ensuring that govt supported candidates won elections. Bribery and inefficiency in administration were widespread. This further discredited the liberal system in the eyes of many Italians
What do historians mean when they say that there was a gulf between ‘legal Italy’ and ‘real Italy’
There was a big difference between the parliament and the political classes that ruled the country and the ordinary Italians with day to day concerns. The majority knew very little of what went on beyond their villages. For them, Italy was not their country, it was just another country that forced them to pay taxes and do military service
What happened to industry in 1900
It developed considerably in the north
What was industrial development always going to be limited by
A lack of natural resources
