WW1 Flashcards
“War is the locomotive of history”-Trotsky
War was to divide Italy completely and create conditions needed for Fascism to flourish.
“Radiant May”
May 1915- Italy’s entry into WW1
What was the war like for Italy?
Generally trench stalemate- periods of inactivity- with Austria
Battle of Caporetto
Oct 1917
Who was in charge of BoC and subsequently sacked?
General Cadorna
What happened at Caporetto?
- defeated by Austrians
- 300k Italian POWs
- 40k Italians dead
What was the defeat at Caporetto attributed to?
low morale
Govt promises major reforms once war is over
Expectations raised
Battle of Vittorio Veneto
Oct 1918
What happened at BoVV?
Italy HELPS allies defeat the AH which was on the EDGE of disintegrating anyway.
- 300k POWs taken
- 5000 guns seized.
Outcome of Vittorio Veneto?
Italians believe they deserve major rewards for their success
EXPECTATIONS RAISED
Most of the soldiers were?
S peasant conscripts- didn’t understand the war
Why were the S peasant conscripts resentful of the industrialists?
They were needed at home to man the factories. Called them shirkers.
What undermined morale among soldiers?
- Low rations
- Low pay (1 lira per day)
- lack of modern equipment
- 1000s killed by cholera, typhus and frostbite
- poor leadership: Cadorna- had no sympathy for soldiers.
How many were conscripted?
5 M
How many offensives in 2 1/2 years?
11 (NOTHING)
What was the maximum advance made by the Italian armies?
12 miles
How many Italians killed in WW1?
600k (1M injured)
What was the govt like in war time?
- their powers increased; parlt was just a rubber stamp
- not v. democratic
What did the PSI encourage?
“neither support nor sabotage”
What did the Pope criticise?
“useless slaughter” (sympathised with Catholic Austria)
How much was spent on the war?
148B lire
What did the national debt increase to?
16B before war
85B after war
How much did the price index raise?
before war: 100
after war: c.400
Who benefitted from the war?
Industrialists with big maritime contracts
