Italy's economy and military (up to 1914) Flashcards
(22 cards)
Steel production
1890 = 0.1 million tonnes
1910 = 0.7 million tonnes
Foreign trade
1860 = $0.3 billion
1913 = $1.8 billion
Railways
1880 = 9,290 km
1913 = 18,873 km
Emigration
1870s = 168,000
1880s = 992,000
1890s = 1,580,000
1900s = 3,615,000
Agriculture
9 hectolitres of wheat per hectare
Communications
- Railways confined to coastal areas
- Few navigable rivers
- In 1890s, 90% of South had no roads
Industry and trade
- Silk and engineering were the major industries
- Virtually no coal
- Little iron or other minerals
- No oil discovered until 1950s
- 1890s increasing use of hydroelectric power in Alps
Social conditions
Wealth between 1860-96 increased by 4%
Opposition from the Church
- Pope told Italians not to associate with the State
- Priests stirred up unrest amongst peasantry
Economic problems
- Government debt
- High taxes on poor
- North-South divide increased by North’s rapid industrialisation
- Frequent unrest, especially in Sicily; 1860s and 1893-94 major revolts
Political problems
- Limited suffrage meant people uninvolved in State but still had to pay taxes and fight in army
- Politicians corrupt, constantly changing
Foreign policy issues
- Italian Irredenta (Italian land held by Austria)
- Defeat at Adowa 1896
Military might in 1914
- 0.75 million soldiers
- £10 million spent on military preparation
- 14 battleships
- 22 cruisers
- 12 submarines
Trasformismo
Political system corrupt. Important laws could not be passed without people bribing each other
Why was Italy always behind industrially?
Lacked important resources such as oil, iron and coal
How did the creation of a single Italian market affect the South?
It could no longer compete with the North, reinforcing the economic divide
How much did illiteracy improve under the Liberals?
- North = fell from 42% in 1871 to 11% in 1911
- South = fell from 88% in 1871 to 65% in 1911
How was the Pope affected by the Unification?
Between 1861 and 1870, most of the Papal States were taken from him. He considered Liberalism a sin
Pope instructed Italians to not vote for the new State
1874
When did the Church’s approach to Liberalism shift?
- Pope feared socialism
- Socialists rejected religion
- 1904 Pope advised Catholics to vote if it helped defeat Socialists
Why were the Liberals cautious towards foreign policy?
- If successful, people more likely to identify with State
- Cost of wars would increase discontent
What were Italy’s foreign policy aims in the 1890s?
- Wanted to rival the Great Powers of Europe
- Hoped to take control of Tunisia (France claimed it 1881)
- Joined Triple Alliance 1882
- Began gaining African territories 1880s
- Defeated at Adowa 1896
