Liberal state - Intervention Crisis, Stalemate and Caporetto Flashcards
Why did Salandra argue that Italy should join the war (in terms of the Triple alliance)?
He feared that if Germany and Austro-Hungary won, they would not be sympathetic to an ally who failed to help them at a critical time
Why did Salandra argue that Italy should join the war (in terms of Britain and France)?
If they were victorious and Italy hadn’t assisted them then they wouldn’t be open to discussing Italy’s ambitions in the Mediterranian
Why did Salandra want Italy to join the war (in terms of Italian politics)?
It would enable him to introduce repressive legislation which would offer an authoritarian solution of Italy’s political problems. If Italy won his policies would be difficult to challenge
Who was Salandra’s foreign minister?
Sidney Sonnino
Who offered the best deal out of the British and French / Germany and Austria?
The entente (British and French), promising that Italy would gain the irredente lands (South Tyrol, Trentino, Istria, Trieste and Dalmatia)
Treaty of London
26 April 1915, Italy pledges to support Britain, France and Russia. News of the treaty caused unrest in Italy as it was conducted in secrecy
Who was firmly against intervention?
PSI and Catholics including Pope Benedict XV
Why did the crisis of Italy’s possible intervention increase in early May 1915?
Giolitti denounced the Treaty of London and 300 deputies announced their opposition to Salandra’s decision
[Gap fill] Those backing neutrality called on ______ to become prime minister again but parliament was h_______ d______. Massive crowds of supporters for ___ ___ held rallies in the streets where those backing _______ were declared _______
Those backing neutrality called on Giolitti to become prime minister again but parliament was hopelessly divided. Massive crowds of supporters for the war held rallied in the streets where those backing neutrality were declared traitors
What did Mussolini get expelled from the socialist party for?
Promoting intervention as he believed that entering WWI was the best chance of creating revolution in Italy
When was Salandra reinstated after resigning?
16 May 1915 and granted emergency powers by parliament on 20 May.
Why was Salandra reinstated instead of Giolitti?
King asked Giolitti to form new government but he felt going back on the TOL was now impossible and didn’t want to betray both sides in war. The King felt committed to the TOL and may abdicate if not honoured. Giolitti refused the offer.
25 May 1915
Italy formally declared war on Austria with Salandra proclaiming that only through national unity could Italy claim victory
Why did Italy enter the war?
Due to foreign and political reasons, little to do with the interventionist protests at the time
Where was the war between Austria and Italy fought predominantly in WWI?
In the mountainous area bordering the two countries and was characterised by static trench warfare in the ice and snow of the alpine terrain.
What were the conditions like in the war for Italian soldiers?
Horrific and thousands of them were killed by cholera and frostbite
[Gap fill] ___ years of ________ followed Italy’s _________ __ ____ and thousands of soldiers were often sacrificed in order to _____ a few hundred metres on the mountainside
Two years of stalemate followed Italy’s declaration of war and thousands of soldiers were often sacrificed in order to move a few hundred metres on the mountainside
How many Italian soldiers died in 1915 during the four failed attempted offensives against Austrians?
62,000
How many Italian soldiers were conscripted to WWI?
Nearly five million men with southern peasant conscripts were overrepresented
What were southern peasant conscripts like in war?
Ideals of war concerning Italian expansion meant very little to them, it was difficult for them to comprehend why the frozen wastelands were worth dying for. The majority couldn’t understand the orders being given to them .
How were conscripts treated in the war?
Treated poorly by their commanders and rations were low (3000 a day)
How many Italian soldiers were court martialled during the war for desertion?
290,000
Who was the Italian supreme commander during WWI?
Luigi Cadorna
What was Luigi Cadorna’s solution to the lack of discipline and morale during WWI?
Repress dissent through harsh punishment. Military tribunals passed 4,000 death sentences on Italian soldiers for desertion and indiscipline
