How secure was liberal Italy in 1914 Flashcards

Question

Why was the franchise so limited

Answer 1

The liberals who controlled the unification process didn't think ordinary Italians had the ability to participate in govt. They believed in a parliament, but one that was chosen by the wealthy educated elite rather than the masses. This right for the masses would come later after wealth and education had spread. However, most liberals didn't even think that spreading wealth was important, as balancing the budget and building up military might were far more important

Answer 2

Laid down the powers of the monarch and guaranteed basic individual rights like free speech and religious freedom

Answer 3

Raised to 25% of adult males in 1882 and then most adult males in 1912

Answer 4

Groups of politicians did deals among themselves. An ambitious politician could try and gain enough support from other deputies to form a govt. This might mean winning over former opponents by offering them certain jobs, favours, or services for their constituency

Answer 5

The transformismo

Answer 6

'Utter pandemonium, especially when an important vote comes along. Government agents run through rooms and down corridors, collecting votes and promising subsidies, decorations, canals and bridges'

Answer 7

Created the impression that politics was all about deals. This increased the sense of alienation the masses felt from the system

Answer 8

The central govt appointed prefects, who vitrually ran the provinces, ensuring that govt supported candidates won elections. Bribery and inefficiency in administration were widespread. This further discredited the liberal system in the eyes of many Italians

Answer 9

There was a big difference between the parliament and the political classes that ruled the country and the ordinary Italians with day to day concerns. The majority knew very little of what went on beyond their villages. For them, Italy was not their country, it was just another country that forced them to pay taxes and do military service

Answer 10

It developed considerably in the north

Answer 11

A lack of natural resources

Answer 12

By abolishing internal tariffs and established an internal market

Answer 13

Harmed what little industry existed in the south, which could not compete with the more advanced north. The rapid growth of industry in the north after 1900 reinforced the unresolved north south economic divide

Answer 14

Most govts put a high priority on a balanced budget. The new state inherited large debts due to the risorgimento wars and raised taxes to pay of these debts. Taxes mainly fell on the poor, and by 1900 Italians were estimated to be the most highly taxed people in Europe

Answer 15

Because if they did then the govt would support employers in rejecting these demands

Answer 16

Fell from 42% in 1871 to 11% in 1911. In the south the fall was from 88% to 65%

Answer 17

Because it allowed religious freedom, and for him catholicism was the only true religion

Answer 18

Participate in the new state. Bishops and priests reinforced this message to Italians. This was important as for many, the parish priest was their main source of info

Answer 19

The Pope became more concerned with the advance of socialism. The marxist socialists not only criticised the power of the church, but also rejected religion itself. In 1904 the Pope authorised bishops to instruct catholics to vote in elections if it helped defeat the socialists

Answer 20

15,000 - and many Italian prisoners were castrated

Answer 21

Italy has a 'large appetite but little teeth'

Answer 22

Because it could make Italians identify with their nation

Answer 23

Because the cost of war might actually increase discontent

Answer 24

Because there were already many Italian emigrants there

Answer 25

Joined the anti-French triple alliance

Answer 26

The mass unrest was met with repression and there was an attempt to set up a more authoritarian govt, relying on royal decrees. This can be seen as a precursor to fascism

Answer 27

Giolitti represented a more moderate approach, the liberal state had survived the opposition but politicians realised they could no longer rely on repression alone and that fundamental changes were needed to reduce the gap between legal and real Italy

Answer 28

Between 1892-4 mass peasant unrest in the south was put down by 40,000 troops In 1898 there were strikes and riots in northern cities. 100 demonstrators were shot in 1900, and anarchists assassinated King Umberto

Answer 29

Due to the banca romana scandal

Answer 30

The period between 1903-14 where he dominated politics, either as PM or from behind the scenes. Skillful at winning majorities in the assembly, and using the prefect system to enhance his power. A series of Giolittian reforms were passed at this time

Answer 31

PM from mid 1920-mid 1921 and played a role in helping M to power

Answer 32

Some argue that by 1914 the regime was well on its way to security; others argue that despite his reforms, the regime was still far from secure

Answer 33

He had to gain the support of the masses while retaining the support of the traditional elites Reconcile catholicism and the new developing forces of socialism and aggresive nationalism into the framework of the new state

Answer 34

The country is sick politically and morally, the cause of this is the classes in power have been spending enormous sums on themselves and their own interests, and they have obtained the money almost exclusively from the poorer sections of society It is irrational to think that low wages help industry. Low wages mean a poor diet; an underfed worker is physically and intellectually weak

Answer 35

Remind all state officials that govt action must be inspired by absolute neutrality in the struggle between capital and labour, and by an affectionate concern for the legitimate aspirations of the working classes

Answer 36

The growth of socialism

Answer 37

It frightened the elites, particularly the catholic church

Answer 38

Because it led to the founding of TUs and cooperative organisations

Answer 39

Through the socialist controlled General Confederation of Labour (CGL)

Answer 40

There was an organised socialist party, the PSI, which began winning parliamentary seats

Answer 41

Between the moderates and revolutionaries. The minimalists argued that peaceful pressure could achieve reform, and that they should aim for a minimum programme of measures to help workers improve their living standards. The radicals argued that the PSI should strive to achieve a full socialist state. They argued that unions should organise strikes to overthrow the existing system and set up a new society based on union organisation. These were known as syndicalists. Some syndicalist ideas would later contribute to fascism

Answer 42

The maximalists, with M as one of their leaders

Answer 43

A mixture of business interests, journalists, poets and painters

Answer 44

Disappointed by what they saw as feeble domestic and foreign policy

Answer 45

Wanted a vigourous authoritarian govt to inspire the mass, get rid of class warfare, and lead the nation forward to greatness. On their banners was the slogan 'our country is nothing without conquest'. Fascism later went on to express many of these feelings

Answer 46

Cultural movement which was part of the early 20th century revolt against the existing boring, staid world. Rejected the liberal view that the main aim of life was a comfortable, bourgeois existence. Instead they glorified speed, action, conflict and violence. Strong supporters of nationalism and imperialism. Fascinated by the industrial age and modern tech. The most famous futurist was Marinetti, who was a writer and early supporter of fascism - he later gave prestige to the movement

Answer 47

Increasing wealth and prosperity

Answer 48

Real wages rose 25% between 1890-1913

Answer 49

Laws controlling female and child labour Establishment of social insurance and pensions schemes Franchise extended to all males over 30

Answer 50

In trying to please one section he alienated another. Thus in trying to win over the moderate socialists and catholics to the liberal system, he only succeeded in upsetting some liberals who feared any increase in the influence of the church or workers

Answer 51

He wanted it to be more neutral instead of automatically using its forces to crush workers

Answer 52

It failed to satisfy the unions and the growth of socialism continued

Answer 53

They feared that the state no longer represented their interests. They saw neutrality as the state being on the side of the workers. This growing fear of socialism influenced their actions in the turbulent post war period. They began to look for a more authoritarian form of govt which would vigorously resist any challenges from workers

Answer 54

The growing role of the state led to an increase in the number of civil servants and professional groups. They joined the petty bourgeoisie of small traders and shopkeepers, whose numbers were also increasing as the economy developed. Some of them were concerned about the dangers of socialism, the power of big business and the weakness of govt. They too began to look for an alternative to liberalism

Answer 55

Tried to look for foreign expansion to achieve support. He gave way to the nationalists and attacked Libya in 1911

Answer 56

Many ordinary Italians resented the war. They were conscripted to fight in a conflict they did not understand and paid for it through increased taxation. The victory may have reduced criticism from the nationalist right, but it strengthened the radical socialists criticism of Giolitti

Answer 57

His attempts at social reform were somewhat undermined by the fact that he used methods of traditional corrupt politicians, the transformismo. In attempting to stay in power by gaining the support of a variety of political groupings he seemed like just another schemer, even becoming known as the master of the underworld

Answer 58

This year saw the worst outbreak of mass unrest since 1898

Answer 59

The shooting of three demonstrators sparked off riots and demonstrations in most major cities. Some radicals seized control of major buildings. In 'Red Romagna' two areas proclaimed themselves independent republics. A general strike was called but the various socialist groups failed to organise their protests effectively. The govt used thousands of soldiers to restore order. After a week the unrest subsided. However, 'red week' frightened the bourgeoisie and seemed to show that Giolitti's policy of trying to absorb the workers into the system had failed

Answer 60

Urbanisation and growing literacy were having some effect. Italian had become a lingua franca in the army and the towns and perhaps six of seven million spoke it. Most had gone through some patriotic propaganda at school. A national economy existed, linked by roads and railways. Institutions like TUs, CA and newspapers had become larger and more national. The state had managed to exist, for good or ill, for 50 years. People had grown used to it and even the church seemed reconciled One should not exaggerate. Nation states and pre-1914 Italy was not one. There was no liberal hegemony and no agreement on basic ideological, educational or social aims. Most people only spoke dialect and nearly 40% of adults were illeterate. A popular press barely existed. Marconi had invented the wireless in 1896, but as yet there was no broadcasting or central control of the people's info. The social and economic gap between the north and south remained. Italy was still run by a small elite with the title to rule except its belligerant patriotism and its historical myths

Answer 61

Socialists condemned the Giolitti regime as a guise for capitalist exploitation of the working classes. Wages were low and hours were very long compared with the rest of western Europe. Welfare benefits like sickness and pension payments also compared unfavourably. Any benefits in the life of workers had to be forced out a state all to willing to use to army to crush strikers and opposing political groups. The wealth of the country had been squandered on imperialist adventures. Chronic poverty still widespread To the right wing nationalists the regime was equally contemptible. Lacked the will to make Italy a major force in Europe. Italian interests had been neglected over Tunis in 1881 and incompetence had led to humiliation in 1896. Emigration was a national disgrace. Liberal weaknesses had exascerbated class struggle. The state had neither crushed nor socialism nor given workers a viable alternative to buy into. Liberalism had failed to instil a national spirit because its politicians were without principle. They were only concerned with their own private interests and careers and made deals with anyone who could further these selfish aims The liberals were proud of what they had achieved. They had held Italy together for 40 years, had sponsored mass education and presided over industrialisation. Education, military service and economic growth had helped create Italians out of those previously ignorant of anything outside their immediate locality The task was not complete and dangers from the left and right remained, but most liberals were not despondent

How secure was liberal Italy in 1914 Flashcards

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