The Liberal State 1911 - 18: Mussolini Avanti π€£π€£ππ©π₯Όπ΅π΅η±δΈ½δΈζ’¦ζΈΈδ»ε’ Flashcards
When did Italy become fully united?
1870
What kind of government followed after the unification of Itlay
A Parliamentary government similar to that of Britain, however, the constitution from Piedmont remained the same which included policies such as equality before the law, right of free assembly, and a free press
How was Italyβs political development hampered.
The Roman Question. After Italy captured Rome, the pope (Pipus IX) was angry that heβd lost papal territory and refused to recognise the legitimacy of unified Italy. In 1886 the new Pope Leo XIII banned Catholics for running for office or voting for elections in which the people of Italy questioned the legitimacy of the new nation. No Parliamentary challenge and less than 25% of men could vote in Italy.
Italy also set up a constitutional monarchy, what is that?
There is still a king who is head of the state and has the ability to dismiss prime ministers. The monarchy also controlled foreign policy. However, the Prime Minister is the head of the government and is responsible for the day to day politics of the country.
What did the Italian Parliament consist of?
It had 2 chambers: The upper and lower chamber. The upper was called the senate and the lower was called the chamber of deputies. The lower chamber had more political power and was elected every 5 years.
Weaknesses of the Political system.
There were no stable and coherent political parties. Politicians would offer positions of status to other members of parliament who would then in return agree to support them as PM. This meant that governments didnβt last long as deputies could withdraw their support due to a better offer from another party. This was known as transformismo
Consequences of the weak political system?
Many government changes, inability to pass legalization, and the alienation and disenfranchisement of the population.
When did Italy experience considerable economic expansion and where was it focused mainly?
The north of Italy 1899 - 1914
Which industries grew significantly between 1899 and 1914.
Electric cable companies, Rubber companies, Sulphuric acid companies. 4.5% increase in export per year and bigger profits.
How many workers joined the workforce in 1901-1911
2 Million
What did different parts of the north focus on industry-wise?
North West: Engineering and Textiles
North: Steel and Chemicals
North East: Heavy Machinery
Which three provinces held 55% of the income
Milan, Genoa and Turin
Did living conditions of urban and rural workers change due to industrial expansion
No.
How manhy strikes where there between 1901-11
1500+ Including around 350 000 workers
What did the industrial expansion highlight?
The divide between the north and south.
How long after unification did a PM visit the south.
32 Years
What did the peasant population of the south have to deal with?
Poor diet, malnutrition, lack of clean drinking water, and lots of diseases.
1910-11: 25 000 died to cholera
80% south illiterate
How many Italians emmigrated from 1901-13
200 000 per year.
Giolitti and the socialists
The PSI was the main focus of the 1911 Giovitti program. One of the few formal parties with 79 seats in the 1913 elections. Growth in socialism mirrored the industrial growth with much internal migration to the south. Industries had a greater mix of Italians from all over the country. This disseminated political thought and awareness which led to growing socialist ideas to advance the working class. PSI was led by Filippo Turati, who was backed by intellectuals that had lost faith in liberalism. The thought only socialism could cure Italy of its problems. They did what the liberals didnβt, they gave their messages to the poor and held public meetings and debates. They also encouraged education so they could challenge political order. 1902 250 000 workers joined socialist federations and 218 000 farmers joined socialist agricultural unions. Giolitti wanted to deal with the socialists through transformismo, by βabsorbingβ socialist deputies. He offered many social reforms including mandatory accident insurance, ban child work under 12, 11-hour women workdayβ¦ . The most important one was the non-intervention of labour disputes with the involvement of arbitration courts. These reforms were partially successful in the absorption of the socialist party for example Turati however he couldnβt turn the maximalists, who wanted revolution by overthrow of the sate, to his side.
Giolitti and the Catholic Church?
The catholic church held a lot of power and influence and he was careful with his dealings with them, through 1904 - 11 the catholic church had gained a lot of political influence through youth movements and sports clubs. In 1904 he said the state and church were two parallel lines, which should never meet. Meaning that they should always be separated, however, Giolitti was willing to offer concessions in return for catholic support. He was successful being the first Italian PM to win the first organized catholic vote. This was achieved in a similar way to how he dealt with the socialists, through βabsorption and the offering of concessions that would gain the churchβs support. Some concessions included the quiet removal of the divorce bill and a focus on education. Due to the rise of socialism, the pope asked people to vote in 150 constituencies where socialists had a chance of winning in 1909. Although Goilitti liked the catholic support, he didnβt want them to be their biggest link. He wanted to prioritise getting support from the socialists. He didnβt want to give any concessions on territory so he still couldnβt solve the roman question
Giolitti and the nationalists?
before 1911 - 14, nationalism was barely a political force. However, during 1911-14 its popularity and influence increased a lot. Due to the battle of Adwa and being the least of the great powers, meant that there was considerable growth in nationalism. They believed that through an aggressive foreign policy that Italy would be seen again as a world power. They wanted to unite the people of Italy based on their individual and patriotic love for their country. They thought liberalism encouraged selfish individualism.
1910 the nationalists formed the ANI. Which brought all the types of nationalism into one party and under one leader. Enrico Corradini. The socialists and Catholics were prepared to work with the liberals but the nationalists werenβt. He tried to undermine them through economic modernisation. This failed as nationalism was just more attractive. The only way that Giolitti could deal with this was by embracing them and invading Libya as an attempt to expand the Italian empire
What were some problems with the Tripple alliance, (land)
Italy was part of the triple alliance with Austria and Germany and Italy has a land interest in the Balkans. However, the Balkans were owned by Austria-Hungary. Many Italians believed the land was theirs.
What did the nationalists want in terms of Austria-Hungary?
They wanted Giolitti to make more of an aggressive stance towards Austria-Hungary.
What did Giolitti do in terms of expansion to placate the nationalists?
He intended to expand to Libya, which was under Ottoman rule. 1902, Italy signed a deal with France, that Italy would support the French expansion in Morocco in return for french backing Italian influence in Libya. After France controlled Morocco he was worried that France will break the deal and expand to Libya. An invasion of Libya would also gain catholic support as they had a financial interest there as well as socialist support, which they thought would provide more land for peasantry.
