The Liberal State, c1911-18 - The nature of the political system

Question 1

When was Italy fully united?

Answer 1

1870

Question 2

When was Italy’s political system created?

Answer 2

When it was united, in 1870.

Question 3

What was Italy’s new parliamentary system similar to?

Answer 3

Britain’s

Question 4

What was the constitution based on?

Answer 4

That of the formerly independent kingdom of Piedmont

Question 5

When was the constitution created?

Answer 5

1848

Question 6

What rights did the constitution guarantee?

Answer 6

• equality before the law
• free press
• the right to free assembly.

Question 7

What became the basis of Italy’s political system?

Answer 7

the constitutional monarchy and elected parliament.

Question 8

What wide-ranging political powers did the King of Italy have?

Answer 8

the power to:
-appoint and dismiss government ministers and senators, including the PM
-control foreign policy
He was also the face of the government in times of crisis.

Question 9

What was the role of the PM?

Answer 9

The head of the government, and was responsible for the day-to-day running of the country.

Question 10

Who did the PM need the support of to keep his position and propose laws?

Answer 10

Parliament

Question 11

What were the limitations of the electorate based on?

Answer 11

Age, property ownership and educational qualifications.

Question 12

Until 1912, how many men could vote?

Answer 12

25%

Question 13

What did the small electorate mean?

Answer 13

That most people didn’t participate in politics before 1912 and consequently the Italians felt alienation from the political system.

Question 14

What were the most important political party groupings?

Answer 14

• Liberals
• Radicals and Republicans
• Socialists
• Catholics
• Nationalists

Question 15

Other than the issues with the electorate, what was another major issue with the system?

Answer 15

It was very elitist, unstable and corrupt.

Question 16

Even though political parties existed, what was the problem with them?

Answer 16

They acted more as labels for groups of ambitious men who wanted to gain power- they did not often have a coherent political ideology.

Question 17

What was the consequence of weak political parties?

Answer 17

It meant that governments were always coalitions of different factions.

Question 18

What did the system of coalition building become known as?

Answer 18

Trasformismo.

Question 19

What effect did these coalition governments have?

Answer 19

It meant that Italian political life was very unstable, because coalitions fell apart quickly. This led to a succession of short-term governments.

Question 20

How many governments were there between 1900-11?

Answer 20

9 governments, only one of which lasted more than two years.

Question 21

Why were most of the Deputies in parliament not very attached to their party or faction?

Answer 21

They were in parliament to serve local interests.

Question 22

What did the lack of loyalty of the Deputies to their parties mean?

Answer 22

That they could be bribed to switch alliance if they were offered enough money or a promotion. It also meant that there was little sense of national politics or unity in government.