The home front Flashcards
How did the Italian state change during the war?
Government power increased and the state became more authoritarian, with parliament rarely being consulted. Also, in order to prevent the spread of rumour and defeatism, the press was subjected to strit censorship
Which three powers collaboratively too control of Italy during the war?
The government, military and leading industrialists
How did industrial working patterns change to help meet the increased wartime demand?
Working hours increased to the extent that some laboured for up to 75 hours a week. Women were also employed in industry at a higher rate. An organisation was set up to oversee war production in Italian factories
What happened to large companies and banks?
There was a process of centralisation as they came to monopolise a larger proportion of their section of the economy
What did increased government spending lead to?
- Inflation
- The opportunity for big profits for industrialists
Why did inflation have little to no impact on industrial workers?
Because jobs were plentiful and industrial wages were high
What began to flourish as a result of the scarcity of certain goods?
A black market that allowed profiteers to make a good living. Soldiers on leave from the front became aware of this and it added to their grievance
What did Italian morale depend upon during the war?
Successes on the battlefield
How many different men held the position of war minister between 1915-18?
5
What were the consequences of a German naval blockade against Italy?
It caused food shortages during the summer of 1917, which led to food riots in Turin
What slogan did the socialist campaign on in 1917 after the Russian Revolution?
‘Not a man in the trenches next winter’
What proportion of Italian casualties were suffered along the Isonzo?
300,000 out of an overall total of 600,000
What stance did the pope take on war?
A ‘white peace’; meaning peace with no territorial gains at all
How many casualties did the Austrians sustain along the Isonzo?
400,000 out of a total of 1,200,000
How many men did Italy mobilise?
Just over 5 million, which made up 14.4% of her totl population
How many Italians died as a result of the war?
650,000
How many Italians were wounded as a result of the war?
947,000
How many Italians either went missing or ended up as a POW?
600,000
What percentage of those mobilised ecame casualties?
39%
How much merchant shipping was lost?
Over 800,000 tons
How much did Italy receive in loans?
£459 million from Britain and £353 million from the US. This allowed her to fund the war effort without placing an increased tax burden on the people
How much did Italy’s gold reserves fall by?
£19 million
What did Italians quickly turn their attention to after the war?
Whether the post-war peace conferences would honour the territorial gains promised in the Treaty of London
