The Liberal State, c1911-18 - Giolitti's government

Question 1

When was Giolitti one of the most important political figures?

Answer 1

the early twentieth-century

Question 2

When was Giolitti PM?

Answer 2

For most of the period 1903-14.

Question 3

When he was not PM, what other roles did he hold?

Answer 3

For example, Minister of the Interior.

Question 4

What did Giolitti’s skills involve?

Answer 4

forming the coalition necessary for the success of trasformismo.

Question 5

Trasformismo

Answer 5

Rrefers to the method of making a flexible centrist coalition of government which isolated the extremes of the left and the right in Italian politics

Question 6

What were Giolitti’s negative traits?

Answer 6

He was a manipulator- was prepared to use bribery and the offer of promotions to achieve success.

Question 7

What was Giolitti’s vision?

Answer 7

For Italy to be stronger, united and modernised.

Question 8

What did Giolitti’s vision lead him to do?

Answer 8

Implement modernising policies and meant he was prepared to deal with a range of different political groups in order to achieve his aims.

Question 9

What were Giolitti’s reforms related to?

Answer 9

Welfare, literacy and economic prosperity.

Question 10

What were the main limitations of Giolitti’s reforms?

Answer 10

While they led to significant improvements in these areas, they did not help all those they targeted. Industrial workers in particular became increasingly organised and instead joined organisations like unions to address their grievances.

Question 11

What unions were there?

Answer 11

• Agricultural (Federation of Agricultural unions founded in 1901)
• Socialist unions
• Catholic unions

Question 12

What did Giolitti do instead of banning these organisations?

Answer 12

He tried to create reforms that brought these organisations and their members within the political process.

Question 13

What did Giolitti hope his welfare measures and attempt to bring members within the political process would do?

Answer 13

Bring prosperity to the alienated workers and peasants and reduce their interest in striking.

Question 14

Did these welfare measures succeed?

Answer 14

NO- they did not end worker grievances. -The police supported the elites against the workers, sometimes violently repressing strikes.

Question 15

What was prioritised over worker grievances?

Answer 15

Economic production.

Question 16

What happened as a result of Giolitti’s failed reforms?

Answer 16

Workers continued to support the unions and parties they thought protected their interests.

Question 17

In what ways were the wealthy and powerful changing their minds about Giolitti?

Answer 17

They thought he was not protecting their interests anymore- they too sought other ways to achieve their goals, including supporting authoritarian parties or groups.