The war economy and cost of war Flashcards
What is some evidence of Italy’s economy being behind Austria?
. Steel production was less than one million tonnes - compared to Austria who were at 2.6 million
. For every two machine guns per battalion, the Austrians had 12
Did the First World War have a negative effect on Italy’s economy?
No - it made significant economic improvements and Italy’s industry coped effectively with the requirements of the war
What is evidence of Italy’s economy improving?
Fiat established itself as Europe’s leading truck and lorry manufacture, producing 25,000 vehicles in 1918
How had Italy’s economy improved by the end of the war?
Italian industry had produced around 20,000 machine guns and 7,000 pieces of heavy artillery - a greater number than the British were able to manufacture
Who was partly responsible for Italy’s success?
. Alfredo Dallolio - organised the recruitment of women and peasants into factories
. Ensured that those men deemed essential to war production were exempted from conscription
What other factors contributed to its success?
. Strikes were made illegal
. Workers could face military tribunals if their behaviour was deemed unsatisfactory
Why did Dalliolio make payments in advance to expand the industry?
So he could get cheap loans which allowed him to establish profitable contracts for big businesses
Why was Italy’s industrial expansion worrying in the long term?
Growth was based almost entirely on government investment in war production which had been paid for by foreign loans and printing more money
Why were these problems going to be exacerbated at the end of the war?
Conclusion of the war would bring about inevitable inflationary problems and massive cuts to government spending - country found itself in 23 billion debt
Why were geographical differences accentuated by the war?
Majority of war production was based in the north east and the growth of industry in these areas accelerated the division between north and south Italy
What is evidence of a geographical division, and what did it result in?
The north’s economy grew by 20% between 1911 and 1921 - the south felt it was being ignored and left behind - alongside resentment to industrial workers
What occurred in 1917?
Bread and pasta shortages - led to riots
Shows the long term effect of the war as the economy fell
