Liberal State - Giolitti, Nationalists and Foreign Policy Flashcards
Where did the largest threat to Giolitti’s programme come from?
The nationalists, a new, dynamic force, that was growing in strength at the start of the 20th century
What in Italy had meant that the nationalist movement gained particular strength?
The failures of the values of risorgimento, the defeat of the Battle of Adwa, the country’s weakness as a world power and the shame delt at the fact that millions of Italians had to leave the country for a better life.
What were the nationalists beliefs?
Antisocialism, Antiliberalism, and believed only through aggressive foreign policy that looked to expand Italy’s power in Africa and claim the irredente lands could Italy assert itself a world power
What did the nationalist mission aim to do?
Unite the differing classes of Italians with their patriotic love for Italy and sweep away the decadent liberal order that had failed to uphold the values and potential of Risorgimento
Who mainly supported the nationalist movement?
The educated middle classes
Why did the educated middle classes mainly support the nationalist movement?
They viewed it in terms of a force for national reward which would undermine the rising popularity of socialism and destroy the cynical corruption of Rome
What did nationalists believe about liberal values?
They only encourage selfish individualism and Italy couldn’t be great until Italians realised the nation was more important than shallow individual needs and were prepared to die for their country
ANI
Associazione Nazionalista Italiana made by nationalists in 1910
Associazione Nazionalista Italiana (ANI)
Made by nationalists to bring the differing currents of nationalism into a formalised orginisation
Who was the leader of the ANI?
Enrico Corradini
Why did Giolitti find the Nationalists hard to deal with?
Unlike Socialists or Catholics, Nationalists saw Giolitti and liberals as representing everything that was weak and corrupt about Italy and needed to be overthrown
How did Giolitti first try to boost Italian support for his leadership?
Through a liberal programme of reform and economic modernisation which he hoped would encourage Italians to view liberals in a more positive light and then undermine the nationalists growing support
What was the outcome of Giolitti’s liberal programme of reform and economic modernisation?
It failed to halt the rise of nationalism
Why did Giolitti’s liberal programme of reform and economic modernisation fail to halt the rise of nationalism?
Nationalism had a greater attraction than liberalism in its more passionate and patriotic message which promised to unite Italian people under a powerful and assertive Italy?
What did Giolitti decide to do about Nationalism in 1911?
Embrace it by expanding Italy’s empire in North Africa through the invasion of Libya
What was the state of the Triple Alliance in 1911?
There were signs of strain
Why were there signs of strain in the Triple Alliance in 1911?
Italy’s key interest in the Balkans clashed with its supposed ally Austria who also held the territory that many Italians believed was rightfully theirs
What did Nationalists pressure Giolitti to do about Austria?
Take a more aggressive stance. In 1911 he was prepared to expand Italy’s Colonial empire
What was the first reason for the war with the Ottoman empire over Libya?
Italy signed a deal in 1902 to support French expansion in Morocco for French backing Italian influence in Libya. In 1911, France was consolidating Moroccan control and Giolitti feared it was preparing to break the deal and expand into Libya
Why did Giolitti’s fears over France breaking the 1902 deal lead to war with the Ottoman Empire?
Because another national humiliation like the one other Tunisia was unthinkable
What was the second reason for the war with the Ottoman empire over Libya?
An invasion of Libya by Italians would gain the support of the Catholic Church who had financial interests in Libya
What was the overall reason for Giolitti and the war with the Ottoman Empire over Libya?
An invasion would gain the support of both the influential nationalist and catholic organisations and unite the people behind his liberal government
How successful was Giolitti in gaining the support of both the influential nationalist and catholic organisations?
Successful, Invasion of Libya, 29 September 1911, was greeted with an outpouring of national enthusiasm even from socialist leaders
Why did Socialist leaders support the Invasion of Libya?
Leaders such as Bissolati hoped that acquiring the colony could provide land for Italy’s poor peasantry
What happened during the Invasion of Libya?
Italy naval forces seized most of Libya’s Ports and Coastal towns within only 3 weeks. 70,000 troops committed in the invasion.
[Gap fill] Giolitti had hoped that the L___ _______ would greet the Italians as _______ from the _______ ____ but this did not happen, hampering Italy’s attempt to ____ _____ of the country.
Giolitti had hoped that the Libyan population would greet the Italians as liberators from the Ottoman rule but this did not happen, hampering Italy’s attempt to gain control of the country.
What did Giolitti do to put pressure on the Ottomans elsewhere?
Got Italian forces to occupy 13 Turkish held islands in the Aegean war
Who had Turkey begun war with in October 1912?
Montenegro, Serbia, Bulgaria and Greece
When did the Ottomans formally surrender control of Libya to the Italians?
8th October
What was the short-term outcome of success of Giolitti’s programmes?
- Social reforms encouraged the support of PSI deputies in parliament
- CC less antagonistic to the state and were cooperating
- Nationalist support for the government
