Political system and Giolittianism Flashcards
(4 cards)
What was the name and date of the constitution that established the powers of the monarch and what did it entail? What actually happened in practice? On the other hand, what are some pieces of evidence suggestive of the monarch’s power?
The 1848 constitution (Statuto Albertino) the monarch gave the monarch the ability to appoint and dismiss prime ministers, authority to dissolve parliament and call new elections and supreme command of the military. However, in practice the monarch’s power was limited as prime ministers couldn’t defy parliament for a prolonged period based on the backing of the monarch alone. However, Umberto used his command over the military in 1898 when he sent in military units to control the rioting in Milan over high food prices resulting in the death of 118 demonstrators. Additionally, he appointed
How were King Victor Emmanuel and King Umberto I used as symbols of national unity? However, how was the prestige of the monarchy undermined by his Umberto’s assassination (why did it take place?) and foreign events?
Victor Emmanuel was named the ‘father of the fatherland’ and over 200,000 people attended his funeral in Rome. Umberto I was described as a ‘good king’, touring the country, meeting the poor and offering support to the victims of natural disasters and epidemics such as the cholera outbreak in Naples in 1884. However, in 1900, Umberto I was assassinated by a textile workers in retaliation against the brutal suppression of the demonstrators in Sicily and the decoration of General Bava Ceccaris with the highest military honour, the Cross of Savoy, which fueled public outrage. Additionally, the reputation of the monarch was closely linked to success in foreign policy and the international humiliation that was caused by the failure in Adowa undermined the prestige of the King.
