the liberal state c1911-18

Question 1

what was the political system of Italy in the early 20th century

Answer 1

• constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system
• King held significant power, including dismissing ministers and controlling foreign policy
• parliamentary politics were dominated by the liberal elite, often through a system known as trasformismo, which involved forming flexible coalitions to maintain power

Question 2

main features of trasformismo

Answer 2

• political strategy that involved forming coalitions among different political factions to maintain a majority in parliament
• often led to unstable governments and war
• criticised for promoting corruption and neglecting genuine political reform

Question 3

kay main economic challenges facing Italy during this period

Answer 3

• significant economic disparities between the industrialised North and the agrarian South
• South suffered from poverty, poor infrastructure, and limited access to education, leading to widespread emigration

Question 4

how did Giolitti attempt to address social issues

Answer 4

• implementation of several social reforms
• laws to improve working conditions, reduce child labour, and expand suffrage
• aimed to integrate various social groups into the political system to stabilise the liberal state

Question 5

what was the impact of the Libyan War (1911-12)

Answer 5

• intended to assert Italy’s status as a great power and distract from domestic issues
• Italy did gain control over Libya, but the war was costly and led to increased nationalist sentiments and criticism of the liberal government

Question 6

how did World War I affect Italys political landscape

Answer 6

• led to significant social and economic strain
• war exacerbated existing divisions, leading to increased support for radical political movements and undermining confidence in the liberal government

Question 7

consequences of the Battle of Caporetto (1917)

Answer 7

• disastrous defeat for Italy, resulting in a massive retreat and loss of morale
• led to changes in military leadership and increased calls for political and military reform

Question 8

how did the war effort impact Italy’s economy

Answer 8

• war placed immense pressure on Italy’s economy, leading to inflation, debt, and resource shortages
• economic strain contributed to social unrest and weakened the liberal states authority

Question 9

what role did the Catholic Church play in Italian politics during this period

Answer 9

• Catholic Church had a complex relationship with the liberal state, while initially opposed to the secular government there were attempts at reconciliation
• Catholics began to participate more actively in politics, influencing social policies

Question 10

what was the significance of the North-South divide in Italy

Answer 10

• highlighted the unequal development within Italy
• the industrial North was more prosperous, while the South remained underdeveloped, leading to social tensions and challenges to national unity