Socialism vs Catholicism - Liberal Italy

History

Catholicism: Non Expedit

• 1874

• Challenges democracy which in this politically instable country makes the foundations more unstable

• Sets itself up directly against the state and begins the idea that can you be a good citizen and a good Catholic

• Meant that divisions were already forming within the country

Catholicism: Gentiloni Pact

• 1913

• Passed by Giovanni Giolitti

• Act that would support the election of deputies in areas where socialists were stronger

• • Meant that socialists were isolated and undermined the liberal unity

  • Also lowered public trust in liberal government as many felt betrayed by Giolitti and this pact made him seem unprincipled

  • This drives people to extremists parties which ultimately caused large-scale instability

Catholicism: Opera Dei Congressi

• 1874

• Aimed to create a more social Catholicism which would help the ordinary people

• Created polarisation within the Church as divides were formed about how religion should be practised

• Led to increased tensions between state and liberal government as it caused major fears of the growth of socialism

Socialism: Right to Vote

• Right to vote since 1912 and therefore their growing power

  • Grows their political power which Catholicism does not do which is arguably more important

  • Extension of the Franchise

• More people could vote, and therefore more voices were heard such as the possible emergence of extremists

• Growing support

Socialism: Growth of Trade Unions

• Italian Workers' Party established in 1885 which sought universal suffrage and right to strike and form trade unions

• Organised regular strikes which disrupted the economy, making the liberal government look weak

• Often opposed the liberal government which meant that the country was heavily divided and even led to violent clashes such as Red Week

Socialism: Red Week

• 1914

• Exposed weakness in liberal government as they could not control major unrest where strikes turned into full scale riots and attacks

• 17 died

• Undermined national unity as this showed that the country was so divided

• Mongered fear in conservatives as people became more concerned about a socialist revolution, especially with its creation of PSI and formal newspapers such as Avanti

Conclusion: Change over time

Its growing whereas Catholicism has been a constant throughout Italian history

Socialism is a change and will only grow in support, while Catholicism is stagnant in its power

Conclusion: Scale

Radicalism and violence

Socialism threatened to overthrow the state, which is much more of a threat to social stability