Italy - Declaration of neutrality & the intervention crisis Flashcards
What are the 4 key reasons Italy intervened in WW1
- Gain land
- Make Italy look strong
- Authoritarian styles measures
- To not look weak
Why was it a bit controversial that Italy initially chose to remain neutral
- part of the Triple Alliance since 1882 but Italy’s treaty obligations did not apply as the Austrian government had not consulted the Italians before declaring war on Serbia
Italy announced that she would remain neutral despite the calls from …………….. for Italy to honour her commitments
- Italy announced that she would remain neutral despite the calls from Nationalists for Italy to honour her commitments.
Why would neutrality to WW1 be in the best interest of the public
- many politicians believed joining the war would put too great a strain on the Italian economy
- much of the Italian population was at best uninterested in entering the war on either side
However, the declaration of neutrality split the………….. in Parliament and set off a …………..
- liberals
- political crisis
Why did Prime Minister Salandra argue Italy should join the war
- fearing that if Germany won they would not be sympathetic to an ally who failed to come to their side at this critical time.
- but also i the event of a victory for the Triple Entente Italy would not see any of her ambitions in the Mediterranean realised
How could joining the war help Prime Minister Salandra’s power
- Salandra could introduce repressive legislation could offer an authoritarian solution to Italy’s problems
- If Italy won, Salandra and his methods would not be challenged
Why did Italy choose to join the Triple Entente in the war
- Salandra and Sonnino, the foreign minster, began secret discussions with Britain, France, Germany and Austria
- The Entente offered the best deal offering much of the irredente lands to Italy
On …….., Italy signed the ……….. pledging to support Britain, France and Russia
- 26 April 1915
- Treaty of London
When the story broke, it caused ……………… in Italy
When the story broke it caused serious unrest in Italy
Why was there a possibility of constitutional crisis because of the process under which Italy pledged to support the Entente
The negotiations had been conducted in complete secrecy and not even the army general staff had been informed
What 3 major things/groups were against intervention
- The PSI
- The Catholic Party
- The Pope
The ……….. - local government representatives - reported there was………….. (once intervnetion was announced)
- no appetite for war outside of the major cities
In Early May, …… & …….. deputies announced their opposition to the Treaty of London leaving Parliament totally divided
- Giolitti & 300
…….. was expelled from the …….. party for supporting intervention!
Mussolini was expelled from the Socialist party for supporting intervention!
………… resigned and the King asked ………… to form a new ministry
Salandra resigned and the King asked Giolitti to form a new ministry
Why did Giolitti refuse the king’s offer
- If Italy did not honour the Treaty of London it would have betrayed both sides
- & more importantly the King informed Giolitti that he would abdicate if the Treaty of London was not honoured —-> trigger a crisis in Italy
In this context, Giolitti refused the king’s offer and Salanda was…..
- reinstated as PM on 16 May
On 25 May, Italy officially……
declared war on Austria
It is important to note that the ………………. & ……………….. realities forced Italy in to war - not because of pressure from ……………..
- foreign and domestic
- interventionists
