IB HISTORY ITALY: STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF ITALY IN 1871 Flashcards
1
Q
Politics
A
Major strength
- Freedom of Speech/Political freedom
- They solved the shambolic political system that existed from 1861-1864 as they went through 4 PMs
- Italian Civil Code of 1865 - All male citizens over the age of 25 are equal before the law
- Special privileges of elites ended - The right to tax exemptions: In the pre-unification era, many members of the elite were exempt from paying certain taxes.
- Rights of property were confirmed for the whole of Italy
- Church courts could no longer have jurisdiction over non-Churchman
2
Q
Discuss the weaknesses of the Political System?
A
- Whilst these laws had the intention of reducing political corruption and promoting Political freedom, did they actually lead to political freedom?
- 2.5% of Italians had the right to vote
3
Q
National Identity: Weakness (the country was essentially divided)
A
Massive cultural divide/socio economic divide: North and the South
- North (hella industrial) à 600 k industrial workers in Lombardy vs Mezzorgiono only had 50 k industrial workers.
- Lombardy 1000km of railway vs Mezzorgiono 150 km
- 2.5% of the total population of 26.8 million spoke Florentine Tuscan Italian
4
Q
Criticisms of the idea that there was weak national Identity?
A
“Too much can be made of linguistic divisions” and “Many of the important works were written in Italian”
5
Q
Weak Social and economic Conditions?
A
- Andrea Manzella: 20% of Italian farmers had access to credit
- Italy heavily in debt in 1860 (1.4 billion in debt to be exact)
- The tax problem – Southern Italy v poor (442$ GDP per capita) + agricultural productivity is low (80%)
- But Piedmont taxed it anyways à Attack on tax collectors screaming ‘long live the pope’ called the Brigands War
- Contemporary account: “ we entered the taxon and immediately began shooting”
- 1860 (75% illiterate) à (BUT free education for Children aged 6-13
6
Q
Perspectives on the weak Social/Economic conditions:
A
- Some try to downplay the event BUT Piedmont had to use an army of 100 k to suppress it
- Furthermore, others suggest that the economic issues Italy faced were not as large as made out to be - 1881 to 1887 (4.6% annual growth rate)
7
Q
Army: Weak
A
- Austria remained a possible threat to Italy + plus had a very long ass coastline
- Italy was defeated easily in the Austria-Prussian War of 1866 —>Real gains were limited: Austria ceded Venetia to Napoleon —. 370 k Italian inhabitants of Trentino remained under Austrian rule
- Rome-French control + Italian embarrassment
- 1860 - 50,000 men but France had 400k
- Klaus Malettke describes the poor treatment of Italian conscripts, who were often subjected to harsh discipline and poor living conditions.
- Many soldiers were illiterate and poorly educated, which made it difficult for them to understand commands and follow instructions.
- Malettke, the Italian officers were often appointed based on political connections rather than merit, which led to a lack of respect and discipline among the soldiers. In addition, the Italian army was plagued by corruption, which further undermined morale and discipline
