o Giolitti’s government in 1911 Flashcards
What factors made up Giolitti’s government?
His relationship with the socialists
His relationship with the Church
His relationship with the nationalists
His foreign policy
How did Giolitti attempt to create a truly unified Italy?
Focused on gaining support of the three key oppositions of liberal Italy: the socialists, the church and the nationalists.
Explain the rise of the Socialists and how Giolitti attempted to gain their support?
Socialism, specifically the political institution, the PSI, began to rapidly increase as in the 1900 general election it achieved 216,000 votes and by 1902, 250,000 industrial workers joined the socialist national federations for strikes for higher wages. This is because socialism appealed to the working class especially those who moved to the North (Milan doubled in size between 1890 and 1940) due to industrialisation. Filoppo Turati was supported by a number of academically educated intellectuals. Greater mixing of Italians encouraged dissemination of political thought and increased literacy, education and an awareness of political engagement, lead to the growth of socialism as a means of working-class advancement.
Giolitti wanted to ‘absorb’ socialist deputies into the political system by offering a number of reforms ie) the compulsory accident insurance in industrial work paid for by employers, limiting the working day for women to 11 hours (1902), national insurance fund for health and old age (1898), banning of employment of children under 12 (1901), introduction of maternity fund (1910). Most important was 1906 policy of establishment of arbitration courts that would
decrease need for workers strikes as it would settle pay disputes between employees and employers.
He was able to win over PSI reformists like Turati, but not maximalists like Mussolini (despised the liberal state) and the compromises he made for the socialists led him into conflict with the Church and nationalists.
Explain Giolitti’s relationship with the Church and how he gained their support? PAGE 176
His 1911 relationship with the Church relied on previous policies implemented since 1904. Church and state were ‘two parallel lines that should never meet’.
In 1904 he made concessions to them like allowing a divorce bill. Catholics were part of the governing coalitions in Turin, Bologna, Florence and Venice.
Catholic Church grew its political influence from 1904-1911 via youth groups and sports clubs.
BUT, Giolitti made it clear that he valued socialist support the most as he didn’t make and concessions regarding the Roman Question or anything that brought the socialists into conflict with him- as he recognised the key to encouraging workers to support the liberal state.
Explain Giolitti and how he gained the support of Nationalists?
Nationalism was a massive threat to him as during his term from 1904-1911 it became highly influential as an ideological movement than organised political party.
Defeat at the Battle of Adwa led to millions of Italians leaving the country in search of a better life due to the shame they felt as Italy was seen as weak power.
The nationalists (anti socialists and anti liberal) - through aggressive foreign policy Italy would be able to claim back the irredente lands and assert itself as a world power.
This movement was highly
supported by the educated middle classes - who viewed it as a national renewal bringing about more dynamic Italy.
Giolitti working with Socialists was opposed and seen as demonstrating the weakness and corruption of the liberal order.
In 1910 the nationalists created the ANI, which wanted to overthrow the ‘weak’ Giolitti and his ‘corrupt’ policies. Failure of Giolitti’s Liberal programme of reform and economic modernisation to boost Italian support for his leadership led to the rise of nationalism (which promised to unite Italian people under a powerful and assertive Italy.
Giolitti failed to hinder support for nationalism so took a different path when in 1911 he attempted to embrace nationalism through expanding Italy’s empire by invading Libya
What was Giolitti’s foreign policy?
Foreign Policy was difficult as Triple Alliance held strains because of irredente lands held by its supposed ally Austria.
War with Ottoman Empire: 1. deal signed in 1902 where Italy would support French expansion in Morocco in return for the french backing Italian influence in Libya. Giolitti feared french would take over Libya as well as morocco (breaking the deal). 2. Catholic church had considerable financial interests in Libya and wanted Italy to colonise it. Thus gaining support of the nationalists and catholic church securing his(Giolitti) leadership. Nationalists and Church supported invasion of Libya due to expansionism and economic interests. It would provide work for the poor Southern peasant population too.
29th September 1911 Italy invaded Libya with 70,000 troops (3,500 died) , but Ottomans fought back well, so Giolitti occupied 13 Turkish Islands in the Aegean Sea to weaken them. It was a success and on 8th October Italy was formally handed control of Libya and pacification of Arabs began.
By 1912 it was evident Giolitti’s reform was successful, but his government was soon to be threatened by the Libyan war and introduction of universal suffrage (right to vote)
