WW1 and its Consequences Flashcards
1
Q
What initially happened in Italy at the start of WW1?
A
- Italy had been part of the triple alliance since 1882
- Italy did not join the war straight away as Austria had not told Italy of its plan to declare war on Serbia before
- Nationalist called for Italy to honour commitments to the alliance
- Many believed that the war would create strain on the economy and that the population was uninterested
2
Q
How did the declaration of neutrality at the start of the war affect Italian politics?
A
- Split the liberals sparking political crisis
* Worries Germany won they’d not be sympathetic to a neutral ally
3
Q
Why did Italy get involved in the war and switch sides in the conflict?
A
- Salandra wanted means to implement authoritarian restrictive laws and also secure political power with a military win
- Britain, France and Russia offered the irrdente lands to Italy if they won which was better than what was offered by the Germans and Austrians
4
Q
What was signed on the 26th April 1915?
A
The Treaty of London - committed Italy to support the triple entente
5
Q
What were The political consequences of the treaty of London?
A
- PSI, Catholic party and Pope all opposed it
- Prefects (local govt. reps) reported there was no appetite for war
- Giolitti and 300 deputies opposed it, Salandra resigned, Giolitti asked to form a ministry but King threatened to abdicate if Treaty of London not honoured so Salandra reinstated on the 16th May
6
Q
When did Italy declare war on Austria?
A
25th May 1915
7
Q
Name economic issues that occurred during WW1
A
- Italy was behind Austria on all war industries - for every 2 machine guns an Italian battalion had Austria had the Austrians had 12
- Resentment and unrest amongst industrial workers occurred due to 25% wage fall and most workers did not support the war
- Government raised taxes which was unpopular and created social divisions, and north-south divisions increased too
- All economic growth at the time was only located in war industries thus collapsed when peacetime was reached
8
Q
What economic benefits did the war bring?
A
- Fiat established as Europe’s top truck industry produced 25,000 in 1918
- Aeroplane industry produces 6,500 planes in 1918
- Produced 20,000 machine guns and 7,000 pieces of heavy artillery which was more than the British
9
Q
How did the war create political tensions?
A
- Impact of 1916 Trentine offensive on public morale and army led to criticism of Salandra and forced to resign
- Failures at Caparetto resulted in the suicide of a senator Leopaldo Franchetti and several resignations
- Neutralist that made up the majority of parliament blamed for war failures, calls to be put on trial for treason
- Only nations whose opposition continued to opposed during the war
- PSI opposition worsened left-right divide, also blamed by Mussolini who called them a greater threat than the Austrians for their ‘not support nor sabotage’ tactic
10
Q
How did the war create some political unity?
A
- Salandra replacement Orlando focused more on boosting morale, promise land reform to conscripting peasants, created welfare to support soldiers and families
- General Diaz improved military tactics, casualty rates fell considerably from 520,000 in 1917 to 143,000 in 1918
11
Q
How did the war increase social tensions?
A
- Of 5 million conscripts the majority were southern peasants and treated badly by commanders
- A lack of discipline in army punished by severe punishments, 400 death sentences passed on soldiers
- Captured soldier abandoned by army - suffered 1,000 calories a day, 100,000 dying of hunger-related illnesses
12
Q
What happened at the Battle of Caporetto?
A
- October 1917 - Austrian army attacked the Italian front line and Italian army dissolved into chaos and retreat
- Many soldiers fled down mountain side, many weaponless and reports that choas (looting, violence) amonsgt army who thought the war was over
- 200,000 Italians lost contact with regiment
- 10,000 killed, 30,000 wounded, 400,000 simply vanished
13
Q
How did the Italians see some success during the war?
A
- October 1918 Italian troops lanches an offensive across the Piave and at the Battle of Vittorio Vento split the army in two
- Austria signed an armistice on November 4th 1918
14
Q
What problems did the war leave Italy with
A
- Went from having 2.9 billion lire in debt pre-war to 23 billion after
- 650,00 casulties
- Divisions between those who’d supported the war and those who hadn’t
- Returning soldiers and meeting commitments made to conscripts
15
Q
What happened at the Paris Peace Conference?
A
- Orlando argued that Italy was due the land promised in the Treaty of London plus Fiume
- Other nations did not see Italy as a great power or contributing enough to the war so rejected this
- Orlando walked out of the conference and gained very little from the Treaty of Versailles - got Trent, Triste and Northern Dalmatia
