The Liberal State c1911-18

The Political system:

• United in 1870, fairly new country

• ‘Statuo’ (constitution) created in 1848, guaranteed…

1) equality before the law

2) right to free assembly

3) a free press

The Constitutional Monarchy:

• Had a wide range of political powers & the face of the government in turmoil

• He could appoint/dismiss ministers (inc. Prime Minister)

• Could control foreign policy

The Prime Minister & Parliament:

• PM as head of gov- needed support from parliament to propose laws

• 2 chambers…

Upper House: (Senate) Senators appointed by king for life

Lower House: (Chamber of Deputies) elected every 5 years, gov minister chosen by them

The Electorate:

• Chamber of Deputies democratically elected

• Only small % could vote (limitations on age, gender, property, qualifications)

• 1912: change of law, but only 25% males could vote (literate males over 21)

• People felt alienated from the political system/no voice

Political Parties & Weaknesses:

• Parliament filled with Liberals, Radicals, Republicans, Socialists, Catholics, Nationalists

• No parties were stable (each hungry for power)

• ‘Trasformisio’- coalition building, fell apart quickly (1900-11 = 9 govs)

• Political opponents often bribed one another→little sense of unity/national politics

Economy (industry):

(Some growth under Giolitti)

• The state invested in industries & encouraged new technology

• Cheaper iron & steel imports led to founding of motor/engineering companies (eg Fiat)

• Exports increased 4.5% per year

• Workers increased by 2million between 1901-11

• Restricted due to geographic size/economy building (after being united)

Economy (Development in the North):

• Geographically superior to the South- were close to other (and better off) European countries

• But was limited due to…

1) lack of resources

2) large unskilled workforce

3) machinery needed to be imported

4) undeveloped transport links & energy sources

Economy (Developments in the South):

• Less modernised/developed → Giolitti tried to remedy this…

• New policies to encourage growth (tax incentives, gov loans)

• Post 1900: internal tariffs ended & free trade was introduced BUT this damaged the economy further

• South only had 27% of wealth in Italy & paid 32% of the taxes

Agricultural Developments:

• Most were dependent on land to support themselves (Italy was not self-sufficient)

• The North benefitted more (new crops, fertilisation, drainage systems)

• Farmers often hired & sacked landless labourers regularly

• The South: Gov support was very slow- poor quality, deforestation, disease (felt like the superior North didn’t care for them)

Social Problems:

(Made worse by economic factors)

• Landless labourers suffered in both regions, often went without work)

• Overall, 69% people were illiterate (80% in the South)

• Widespread disease (poor conditions→spread quickly)

(Social problems) The Government’s efforts:

• Sickness, accident, pension schemes

• Raising minimum working age to 12

• Setting maximum working hours

• Central Government now had responsibility over primary schools

• Reducing food taxes (making it more affordable)

• Passing laws to establish public holidays, free treatment of Malaria

• Improvements in hospitals → increased life expectancy

• Increase of schools → deceased illiteracy nationally

(Social Problems) Migration & Emigration:

• Great desire to improve life → many moved abroad or elsewhere in Italy (eg South to North)

• Thousands moved to cities to seek employment

• 200,000 emigrated after 1890s (despite dangerous journeys)

• 1.5million migrated between 1912-13

Viewed as disastrous for Italy

(Giolitti’s Government) A Skilled Politician:

• Good at Trasformisio & persuasive techniques (archived many promotions)

• Wanted a strong Italy - introduced policies related to welfare, literacy, economic prosperity

• Not a benefit to all: industrial workers had to join Unions for grievance & help

• Didn’t ban other unions (agricultural, catholic, socialist) but attempted reforms to integrate them with the political process

• Didn’t end grievances: police still supported the elites against workers, violently repressed strikes & workers continued to support with Unions. Even the wealthy felt Giolitti wasn’t doing enough

Giolitti & Socialists:

• Wanted a coalition with them

• Deputies didn’t collaborate (many faced criticism)

• Socialists never became fully absorbed into coalitions…

Police repression, party was divided (with wider socialist movements), often didn’t agree with Giolitti’s policies

Giolitti & Catholics:

• The Catholic voice was large

• He was wary and didn’t want to make promises he couldn’t keep

• Also a threat to his power in Gov

Giolitti & Nationalists:

• The Nationalists had large numbers in support

• A movement that opposed Giolitti’s methods, Foreign Policy (and took advantage of it)

• They Appealed for a ban on strikes, stronger police force/army, protection for industries, colonial expansion

• Giolitti underestimated their threat