To what extent does the Franchise extension explain the failure of Giolitti in the years 1911-1914?

Question 1

introduction- include opening sentence, points and line of argument

Answer 1

Giovanni Giolitti became PM first in 1892 and served as PM another 4 times following.
Political/opposition, Franchise extension and Weakness of Giolitti
Political problems and polarization was most significant in the failure of Giolitti in the years 1911-14

Question 2

Political- Evidence/Explaination

Answer 2

-Nationalist were convinced Giolitti was collaborating too much with the socialists
-Nationalists pressured Giolitti to invade Libya in 1911 and join the catholics which weakened Socialist Deputies
-Collaborations with the Catholics meant that radicals withdrew support from Giolitti’s coalition in 1914, such as Ettore Sacchi
-Libyan war cost 1,300 million lire and 3,500 troops died
+After the invasion of Libya the Nationalists to credit for forcing Giolitti, however after the failure blamed him

Question 3

Extension of the Franchise- Evidence/Explaination

Answer 3

-All literate males over the age of 21 were granted the vote and all males regardless of literacy over the age of 30
-1913 estimated that 70% of the electorate couldn’t read or write
-Electorate increased from 3 million men in 1909 to 8.5 million in 1912
+Franchise extension led to loss of 52 seat of Giolitti’s liberals and had to form a coalition with the Catholics
+Radicals resigned from Catholic party.

Question 4

Weakness of the Liberals and Transformismo

Answer 4

• Some of Giolitti’s reforms had benefits such as Real wages going up in agriculture and industry
• Giolitti’s limited policies and declaration of strict neutrality of the public services in the case of strikes turned elites against him, this also turned workers against him as they looked to party in support of their interests
• Giolitti had no mass party support and the appeal of his policy was aimed at elites,
• The failure of transformismo meant Giolitti failed to create a centrist coalition government, Catholics and Nationalists weren’t willing to work with socialist

Question 5

Line of argument

Answer 5

Political- The Libyan was which was pushed by the Nationalists also led to the Franchise extension and left Giolitti looking weak
Extension- many illiterate (70% of voters in 1913) and lower class men became enfranchised which led to collapse as they lots seats
-Liberals- failure to solve the regional divisions, leaving Italians from the south being disillusioned and increased division in the north and south