Weaknesses of the political system and the attempts to stabilize it under Giolitti.

Question 1

Why was entry into the war divisive and the outcome was disappointing?

Answer 1

• The war did not prove to be the good move that Giolitti had expected.
• He was blamed for slowness and the cost of the conquest and the nationalists got credit for the victory.

-The socialists opposed the war, causing divisions between them and Giolitti.
Within the socialist party, the extremists had gained control in 1912, margin Turati and those who wished to co-operate with Giolitti.

-Giolitt’s secret deal with the Catholics in the election of 1913 upset the radical liberals, who were bitterly anti-clerical.

-Slowly the majority seeped away and, in March 1914, he resigned and the king appointed the more right-wing Salandra.
Salandra was more acceptable to nationalist opinion and against Giolitti’s wishes- he was to take Italy into the European War, which broke out in August 1914.

Question 2

What account was there for the weakness of the Liberal state and how did this encourage Fascist influence?

Answer 2

• The liberals seemed incapable of dealing with socialism.
• Powerful economic groups, such as the industrialists and landowners looked to the Fascists for protection of their interests.
• The Liberals were blamed for the loss of the war and the mutilated peace-in contrast the Fascists were patriotic and strong.
• The liberals failed to adapt to the start of mass movement politics which had been encouraged by Electoral Reform of 1919.
• The Facscists were the first successful mass movement.

Question 3

What was the economic impact of war?

Answer 3

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