Neutrality and intervention crisis

Question 1

Who was Prime minister during the declaration of neutrality and intervention crisis?

Answer 1

Salandra

Question 2

What was Italy apart of since 1882?

Answer 2

The Triple Alliance

Question 3

Why did Italy not need to oblige to the treaty of the Triple Alliance?

Answer 3

Because the Austrian government had not consulted Italy before declaring war on Serbia

Question 4

What stance did the nationalists take on the outbreak of war?

Answer 4

Wanted Italy to join, said that it should honour the treaty

Question 5

What did Italy announce at the outbreak of war?

Answer 5

They would remain neutral

Question 6

What did the declaration of neutrality do?

Answer 6

Set off a political crisis and split the liberals

Question 7

What did the Politicians believe and how did the Italian people feel about the war?

Answer 7

• Politicians believed that intervention would put a strain on the Italian economy
• Many people were uninterested in entering war on either side

Question 8

What did Salandra argue about the war?

Answer 8

• Said that if Germany won a it would not be sympathetic towards an ally that did not support them
• If the Triple Entente won they would not see their ambitions in the Mediterranean realised

Question 9

What would joining the war allow Salandra to do?

Answer 9

Introduce repressive legislation that would offer an authoritarian solution to Italy’s problems

Question 10

What did Salandra and Sonnino (foreign minister) do?

Answer 10

Entered secret negotiations with Britain, France and Germany, Austria

Question 11

What side did Italy join and why?

Answer 11

The Triple Entente, they offered the best deal offering much of the Irredente lands to Italy

Question 12

What was the Treaty of London?

Answer 12

• Signed in 26 April 1915
• Italy joined the side of Britain, France and Russia

Question 13

What was the response of the signing of the treaty of london?

Answer 13

Caused unrest in Italy because it was conducted in secrecy and the army general was not consulted

Question 14

Who was against intervention?

Answer 14

• PSI
• Catholic party
• Pope

Question 15

What happened to Mussolini during the crisis?

Answer 15

Expelled from the PSI as he supported intervention

Question 16

What happened in early may 1915?

Answer 16

Giolitti and 300 deputies announced their opposition to the Treaty and this left parliament in chaos

Question 17

What happened with the PMs?

Answer 17

• Salandra resigned
• King asked Giolitti to form a new ministry
• King said Giolitti had to honour treaty or he will abdicate triggering a crisis in Italy
• Giolitti refused
• Salandra reinstated

Question 18

When did Italy officially declare war on Austria

Answer 18

25 May