Introduction to Italy

Question 1

Historically, what was Italy’s political situation like?

Answer 1

Throughout the Middle Ages, Italy was invaded again and again by other European countries, including Spain, France and Austria. For 300 years, Milan was controlled by the Hapsburg empire. The fragmented nature of Italy meant states often helped foreigners invade as they hated neighbouring states more than foreigners. The battle between France and Austria taking place in Italy only stopped when Italy unified in 1861.

Question 2

When did Italy fully unify?

Answer 2

1870.

Question 3

What is Risorgimento?

Answer 3

It means resurgence or rebirth and refers to the unification of Italy, which concluded with the incorporation of Rome in 1870 and the creation of Italy as a new nation. Also means the unification of Italian people as one people rather than fragmented states.

Question 4

What is trasformismo and what impact did it have on lives of everyday Italians?

Answer 4

Political manoeuvring and deal making.
It meant very little legislation was passed that actually benefitted them as the government was so corrupt and busy trying to remain in power which led to extreme ideologies like anarchism becoming popular.

Question 5

What is campanilismo?

Answer 5

A feeling of pride and belonging to your place of birth, which is stronger than any sense of national identity.

Question 6

What percentage of Italians spoke regional dialects?

Answer 6

99%.

Question 7

What is Mezzogiorno?

Answer 7

The South of Italy which experienced a lot of poverty.

Question 8

Was the party system well established?

Answer 8

No.

Question 9

What percentage of Italians had the vote?

Answer 9

8% of adult men in 1880 and then 24% of the population in 1912 when the franchise was extended.

Question 10

How many changes in prime minister were there between 1870 and 1922?

Answer 10

29.

Question 11

What is anarchism?

Answer 11

A political ideology where the state authority and control is overthrown and a self-governing order is established where everyone is free to live in a society with no government rules or laws.

Question 12

Why did an anarchist kill King Umberto 1 in 1900?

Answer 12

To avenge the deaths of 100 protesters who were killed in Milan. They were protesting against Italy’s political system.

Question 13

How high was illiteracy in the South?

Answer 13

Around 50%.

Question 14

How high was illiteracy in Piedmont?

Answer 14

Only 11%.

Question 15

Why was the South an area of poverty?

Answer 15

Mostly subsistence farming. The political system also benefited the North as they were the ones with the vote.

Question 16

What is a statistic that shows unequal distribution of wealth in the South?

Answer 16

In the South in 1914, 0.01% of the population owned 50% of land.

Question 17

How many immigrants went to the United States between 1876 and 1930 and what proportion of those were from the South?

Answer 17

5 million, 4/5 of those from the South.

Question 18

Where did industry centre on and why was this a problem?

Answer 18

Industrial cities in the North like the Golden Triangle of Turin, Milan and Genoa. This created a major North/ South divide.

Question 19

Why was the Catholic Church angry at Italian unification?

Answer 19

The Roman Question- the Pope lost land in Rome and unified Italy was unwilling to give it back.

Question 20

What did the Catholic Church do after Italian unification?

Answer 20

Undermined the status of the Italian state by denouncing the new liberal state and forbade Catholics from standing in elections until 1909.

Question 21

When and where was the humiliating military defeat by the Abyssinians?

Answer 21

At Adowa in 1896.

Question 22

Why was the fact that Italy had few colonies and many Italian speakers lived in other countries a problem?

Answer 22

It made Italy look very weak, especially compared to the empires of other European countries. They would also want to claim irredente lands to help unify all Italian people.

Question 23

What was health and life expectancy like in Italy in the 1900s?

Answer 23

Poor. Diseases like typhus, rickets, cholera, tuberculosis and malaria were widespread. In Naples 25,000 people died from cholera between 1910 and 1911. Life expectancy was lower than any other European country and around 40% of deaths were children under 5.

Question 24

Which industries were successful in the early 1900s?

Answer 24

Car industry, iron and steel industries, newer chemical, mechanical and electrical industries were also growing.