Liberal Italy

what is trasformismo

political system where support is based on loyalty to individual leaders rather than parties or policies, creating fluid parliamentary alliances

how did trasformismo affect political stability

governments changed frequently, creating instability, but the same elite leaders often remained in power with similar supporter groups.

how significant was italy’s industrial growth between 1860-1913

italy maintained a stable 2.5% share of europes manufacturing output. although small this was consistent

how did migration affect italys economy

8 million italians emigrated (to usa and South America), remittances helped reduce the north south wealth gap.

why was the south less developed

poor agricultural conditions, widespread disease and low literacy

statistic showing southern underdevelopment

calabria had 70% illiteracy compared to 11% in piedmont and 30% nationally

giolottis reforsm in south

increased public spending by 50% (1900-1907), distrbuted quinine to fight malara, and expanded education (sicilian primary school attendance rose from 55% to 73%)

why did italy invade abyssinia

nationalist pressure and competition with France, who had taken Tunisia

what happened at battle of adowa (1896)

italy defeated, 5000 soldiers died. national humiliation

why did italy invade libya in 1911

to prevent further french expansion in north africa, and satisfy nationalist demadns

what was the sciara sciat incidient, and its impact

500 italians killed by 10,000 turkish and arab forces. italy retaliated killing thousands of libyans. boosted nationalist pride, but created mixed public opinion due to high costs and violence

why did socialism threaten the liberal state

challenged traditional politics and encouraged mass mobilisation through trade unions (250,000 members by 1902)

what reforms did giolitti introduce in response to socialism

expandd electorate to all men over 30 by 1912

workers rights increased with one rest day per week by 1907

womens work days limited to 11 hours and under 12s banned from work

what was red week

week of violent unrest, required 100,000 troops, 17 deaths. showed giolittis reforms had not resolved social tensions

why was the church a threat to the liberal state

conflict over rome and refusal to recognise the liberal state

what was the non expedit

1874. papal decree, discouraged catholics from voting. forced divide between church and state

opera dei congressi (1891)

catholic organisation provided social support showing italians could rely on the church over state

how did catholic threat change by 1913

gentiloni pact encouraged catholics to vote for liberal candidates to block socialism, showing cooperation and shifting priorities.

what did nationalists believe about war

that it would strengthen and test the italian nation

main political positions on entering wwi

liberals - mostly hesitant, salandra supportive

socialists - opposed

nationalists - supportive

church - opposed fighting other catholics

“Blood will flow from the veins of italy”

Gabriele d’Annunzio, nationalist poet, encouraged war