Mutilted Victory

Question 1

Paris Peace Settlement

Answer 1

Italy was representated at the Paris Peace Conference by Orlando (PM) and Sonnino (Foreign Minister).

Nationalists had been convinced that the Liberals would fail to defend Italy’s interests at a post-war peace conference.

Italy had a poor record during the war in terms of its military campaigns and suffered severe casualties and fatalities during the “White War”

Italy’s gains amounted to a mere 9000 square miles

why Italy should make substantial gains given the above points, coupled with the fact that it did not enter the war until 1915.

Question 2

Role of Orlando

Answer 2

When it was clear that negotiations would follow Wilson’s 14 points, Orlando and Sonnino walked out.

This achieved nothing and the Treaty of St Germain was signed in September 1919.

She had not been a success militarily, Britain and France made more sacrifices and had even been sent to bolster Italian forces after the disaster at Caporetto.

It is claimed that Orlando failed to impress at the conference and did not present his case well. In short, he was outclassed by the other statesmen.

Question 3

Treaty of London

Answer 3

Wilson’s Fourteen Points were supposed to be used to determine Europe’s future, which would primarily involve the principle of self-determination being applied in peace negotiations – this is why Italy received no colonies.

Italy’s claims were based on the Treaty of London but by now, the peace agreements were to be based upon Wilson’s Fourteen Points, not secret treaties signed before the war.

Question 4

Treaty of St Germain

Answer 4

In reality, Italy did actually gain ‘Italia Irredenta’ – the desire for the unification of all Italian-speaking nations. It also got more than it deserved, as 0.2m German-speaking Austrians and 0.25m Slavs now lived in Italy – self-determination not evenly applied in these cases.

Question 5

Reasons for Italian Disappointment

Answer 5

However, Nationalists were outraged, feeling their country had been cheated – there had been a ‘mutilated victory’ and the Liberals were to blame! Worryingly for Liberalism, many Italians agreed.