Post-war Italy (WWI) Flashcards
What lands were Italy promised at the Treaty of London?
- South Tyrol
- Trentino
- Istria
- Dalmatia
- Colonies
What land did Italy actually receive in the St Germain Treaty
- South Tyrol
- Trentino
- Istria
Who did Italy blame for the Mutilated Victory?
Liberal Party, which the Fascists used to their advantage
Why was Fiume so important to Italians?
The majority of its inhabitants were Italian, however it was under Austro-Hungarian control
Occupation of Fiume
- September 1919
- Led by d’Annunzio and 300 ex-soldiers
- Liberals did nothing to stop this, showed their weakness
How long did d’Annunzio rule Fiume for?
- A year, until Giolitti’s new government sent in troops
- Agreed with Yugoslavia to be an international free city
- Remained as this until Mussolini took it over 1923
How did d’Annunzio and his occupation influence Fascism?
- Gave speeches to audiences from balcony
- Made war cries
- Followers wore black shirts
- Used castor oil to humiliate opponents
- Used Roman salute
- Made song ‘Giovinezza’ (‘youth’)
- Plans for corporate state
- Wanted influence in Mediterranean
- Discussed March on Rome
Why was d’Annunzio so influential?
- Nationalist poet
- Led heroic air raids in war and lost an eye
- Tried to de-influence people from supporting Fascism
- 1922, ‘fell’ from balcony
Why were so many ex-soldiers drawn to Fascism?
- Felt task of making Italy great was unfinished
- Missed comradeship of trenches
- Joined Fascist squads to fulfil desire for action
What forms did unrest take post-war?
- Workers launched a series of strikes
- Returning peasant soldiers seized unoccupied land (gained 1mil hectares)
Economic problems post-war
- Industry hit by end of war orders
- Demobilisation of over 2 million soldiers added strain on economy
- Continuing inflation undermined living standards
Why was the petty bourgeoisie so badly affected?
- Mostly self-employed, so couldn’t press for higher wages
- Savings were hit by inflation
Who benefitted from the war?
- Unions forced increased wages
- Industrialists benefitted from higher prices
How was Socialism advancing?
- Growth of unions (industrial and agriculture) between 1919-20
- Factory occupations (over 300)
- 1920 PSI won 2,162 of 8,059 communes, and 25 of 69 provinces
- 1917 Russian Revolution inspired Socialists
How was Fascism advancing?
- Founded 1919
- Fascist takeover of cities 1922
- March on Rome 1922
- 1919-22 clashes between Fascists and Socialists (over 2,000 killed)
What was emerged in 1918?
Liberals introduced:
- Full universal suffrage for males
- Proportional representation
Popolari set up, representing Catholic views
1913 election
- Giolittians: 310 deputies
- PSI: 52 deputies
- Others: 117 deputies
1919 election
- Giolittians: 91 deputies
- PSI: 156 deputies
- PPI: 101 deputies
- Radicals: 67 deputies
Importance of 1919 election
- Proportional representation in place
- PSI and PPI held majority
- Failed to cooperate
- Liberals remained in power
1921 election
- PSI: 123 deputies
- PPI: 107 deputies
- Communists: 15 deputies
- Nationalists: 10 deputies
- Fascists: 35 deputies
- Giolittians: 47 deputies
What did Liberal Party do to try consolidate regime?
- Bread subsidies
- Eight-hour day
- Tax system more fair
