Italy in WW1

Question 1

What was Italy’s declaration of neutrality?

Answer 1

Italy declared neutrality as Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia without consulting the Italian government. This caused a split in Italian politics as many, like Giolitti, did not believe that Italy were economically ready for a war just after it’s war with Libya.

Question 2

Who pressed for war/interventionsim and why?

Answer 2

Salandra was worried that if Germany and A-H won the war they would mistreat Italy badly as they had left the Triple Alliance. He also worried that if the Allies won, they would not listen to Italy’s own ambitions. Italy HAD to join a side…

Question 3

When was the Treaty of London signed?

Answer 3

26 April 1915

Question 4

What was the Treaty of London?

Answer 4

After secret negotiations with the Allies and the Germans by Salandra and his foreign minister Sidney Sonnino, they came to an agreement that the Allies’ offer was better. They were promised their irredente lands should the Allies win the war.

Question 5

Which irredente lands were Italy promised?

Answer 5

South Tyrol, Trentino, Istria, South Dalmatia, Trieste

Question 6

Why was the treaty contreversial?

Answer 6

It was done in complete secrecy. The army and government were not informed. Parties such as the PSI as well as the Catholic Church (Pope Benedict XV) were firmly against intervention.

Question 7

Who denounced the Treaty of London?

Answer 7

Giolitti and 300 deputies announced their opposition to the treaty in May 1915. This led to Salandra resigning and calls for Giolliti to become Prime Minister again were very loud…

Question 8

Why did Giolitti not become Prime Minister?

Answer 8

The King told Giolitti that he was commited to the Treaty of London and that if Giolitti was to not honour the treaty then he would abdicate. Giolitti didnt want intervention but also didnt want the King to abdicate so he declined the offer.

Question 9

When and how did Italy declare war on Austria?

Answer 9

The King reinstated Salandra who was given emergancy powers by the government on 20 May 1915.
On 25 May 1915, Italy declared war on Austria. Salandra believed that war was the only way to bring about Italian unity.

Question 10

What was significant about the PSI being against intervention?

Answer 10

The PSI was the only left-wing party in Europe to oppose the war.

Question 11

Where was this war predominantly fought and what were conditions like?

Answer 11

In mountainous area bordering the countries in alpine terrain with horrendous icy, snowy conditions. Thousands of Italians died to cholera and frostbite

Question 12

How long did the stalemate last for and how many Italians died pushing Austria?

Answer 12

It lasted from 1915-1916

62,000 Italian soldiers died over 4 offenses

Question 13

Why were the peasant soldiers not keen on war?

Answer 13

They didnt understand Italian nationalism and didnt seem to care about the irrdente lands
They struggled to take orders from officers who spoke a different dialect to them
Commanders treated peasant conscripts poorly

Question 14

How low were rations by the end of 1916?

Answer 14

3,000 calories a day worth of rations

Question 15

How many Italians were court-martialled for desertion?

Answer 15

290,000 Italian soldiers

Question 16

Who was Italy’s first Supreme Commander in WW1?

Answer 16

Luigi Cardona

Question 17

What was Cardona’s solution to a lack of discipline and moral?

Answer 17

He introduced heavy punishments.
Military tribunals passed 4,000 death warrants for Italian soldiers who deserted or misbehaved.
Italy killed more of it’s troops than any other Western army during the war.

Question 18

Why did the Italian government not want to help those in POW camps?

Answer 18

They were worried that soldiers may surrender on purpose to escape the war and stay in POW camps with good conditions.
SO the government didnt send any aid or any rescue parties to try to help the POWs

Question 19

How many Italian POWs were there?

Answer 19

600,000 Italian soldiers were captured

Question 20

How many POWs died of hunger-related ilnesses?

Answer 20

100,000 soldiers

Question 21

How did these POWs feel?

Answer 21

Those that survived felt a feeling of abandonment and anger towards an Italian government who betrayed them.

Question 22

What problems had the Austrian’s ‘Strafexpedition’ caused?

Answer 22

In 1916, the Austrians launched an offensive into Trentine which was halted by the Italians. It had a severe impact on public and army morale and led to Salandra and his government resigning and was replaced by Boselli.

Question 23

When was the Battle of Caparetto?

Answer 23

24 October 1917

Question 24

What made it an embarrasement?

Answer 24

Rubbish leadership and poor morale made it easy for the Austrians to attack the Italians and cause the Italian army to dissolve. This followed a chaotic retreat which saw soldiers running down the mountains in a mix of scare and cheer while in the backdrop of looting and violence by Italian troops.

Question 25

How many soldiers lost contact with their regiment?

Answer 25

200,000 soldiers + large amounts of military arms

Question 26

How many Italians were killed at the battle?

Answer 26

10,000

Question 27

How many Italians were injured?

Answer 27

30,000

Question 28

How many Italian soldiers were taken prisoner after the battle?

Answer 28

300,000

Question 29

How many Italian soldiers ‘vanished’?

Answer 29

400,000

Question 30

What was blamed for Italy struggling in the war?

Answer 30

In-house divisions such as members of the Parliament still backing Giolitti to be PM. Giolitti and others who were opposed to the war were seen as traitors who shoulld be tried for treason.

Question 31

What was the political consuquence of the Battle of Caparetto?

Answer 31

Boselli resigned and was replaced by Vittorio Orlando

Question 32

What changes did Orlando make within the military?

Answer 32

Cardona was replaced by General Diaz who brought in many changes to the military:

• Rations and annual leave were raised
• Newspapers and lectures introduced (in order to boost morale)
• Promises regarding land reform were made for peasant conscripts
• Welfare commitees set up for soldiers in December 1917

Question 33

What were General Diaz’s accomplishments?

Answer 33

• He managed to hold the Italian line at Piave

- Casualty rate fell from 520,000 in 1917 to 143,000 in 1918

Question 34

When was the Battle of Vittorio Venneto?

Answer 34

24 October 1918

Question 35

What happened at the Battle of Vittorio Venetto?

Answer 35

Italian forces launched an offensive into the town of Vittorio Veneto which split the Austrian army into 2 thus ending any hopes of an Austrian fightback

Question 36

When did A-H sign the armistice?

Answer 36

4 November 1918

Question 37

How was the victory used by nationalists?

Answer 37

It was used to promote ideas of patriotism, unity and self-sacrifice

Question 38

How many casualties did Italy end the war with?

Answer 38

600,000 dead