The Rise of Fascism in Italy (1911-1946)

Risorgimento

Unification of Italy established in 1861.

PSI

Italian Socialist Party founded in 1895.

Giolitti

Repeatedly served as Prime Minister from 1903-1914.

Invasion of Libya

Supported by Giolitti in 1911.

Treaty of London

Concluded on April 26, 1915.

Annexation of Rome

Completed by Kingdom of Italy in 1870.

Abyssinia

Site of Italy's humiliating defeat in 1896.

Bosnia-Herzegovina

Annexed by Austria-Hungary in 1908.

Voting Rights Expansion

Extended to all men over 30 in 1912.

Treaty of Lausanne

Resulted in Libya's colonization from Ottoman Empire.

WWI Intervention

Italy joined Entente Powers in May 1915.

Triple Alliance

Italy joined in 1882.

Victor Emmanuel

Became King of Italy in 1900.

Italian Nationalist Association

Founded in 1910.

Neutrality Declaration

Italy declared neutrality in WWI in August 1914.

Caporetto

Defeat in 1917 leading to military leadership change.

North-South Divide

Economic disparity between northern and southern Italy.

Francesco Nitti

Liberal economist promoting southern economic growth.

Special Law for Naples

Introduced in 1904 to stimulate growth.

Industrial Growth

Doubled between 1899-1910 despite limitations.

Agricultural Dependency

68% of Italians relied on agriculture in 1870.

Po Valley

Region with profitable agriculture in Northern Italy.

Industrialization Factors

Limited by resources, labor skills, and infrastructure.

Subsistence farming

Farming for personal consumption, not profit.

Landless labourers

Workers without land, increasing social instability.

Central/southern farming

Farming in southern Italy, often low-value goods.

Natural disasters

Events like earthquakes and volcanoes damaging agriculture.

Calabria earthquakes

1905 earthquakes causing economic disruption in Calabria.

Vesuvius eruption

1906 volcanic eruption affecting southern Italy.

Etna eruption

1910 volcanic activity impacting agriculture in Sicily.

Tidal wave 1907

Natural disaster causing further economic challenges.

Deforestation

Loss of trees leading to soil erosion issues.

Poverty in Italy

Widespread poverty, especially in southern regions.

Industrialisation

Economic modernization primarily benefiting northern Italy.

Disease prevalence

High rates of disease due to poor living conditions.

Typhus

Infectious disease exacerbated by poverty and overcrowding.

Infant mortality

40% of deaths were children under 5 years.

Illiteracy rates

69% illiteracy in Italy, higher in the south.

Piedmont education

42% illiteracy; 26 schools per 10,000 people.

Sicily education

80% illiteracy; only 6 schools per 10,000 people.

Political weaknesses

Limited voting rights and widespread political corruption.

Statuto Albertino

Constitution limiting franchise since 1848.

Transformismo

Coalition governments formed from political factions.

Political disunity

Lack of national unity and political coherence.

Chamber of Deputies

Legislative body serving local interests, not national.

Bribery in politics

Common practice for forming coalitions and governments.

Unification

The process of merging Italian states into one nation.

Great Power Status

Italy's aim for equal prestige with major powers.

Colonial Ambitions

Italy's efforts to acquire overseas colonies for resources.

Battle of Adowa

Italy's defeat in 1896, halting colonial expansion.

War Reparations

Payment of 10 million lire to Abyssinia post-defeat.

Liberal Government

Political leadership in Italy during early 20th century.

Giolitti

Significant PM who aimed to unify Italy politically.

Trasformismo

Political strategy of coalition-building in Italy.

Economic Reforms

Giolitti's initiatives to improve Italy's economic conditions.

Social Reforms

Policies aimed at enhancing health and literacy in Italy.

Federation of Agricultural Workers

Union representing 240,000 agricultural laborers formed in 1901.

Socialist Unions

Labor unions united by socialists to advocate for workers.

Catholic Workers Unions

374 unions formed by Catholics by 1910.

Political Alienation

Disconnection felt by Italians towards the Liberal government.

National Identity

Sense of belonging and unity among Italians post-unification.

Cultural Differences

Variations in language and customs across Italian regions.

Libyan War

Conflict that destabilized trust in the Liberal government.

North African Expansion

Italy's focus on increasing influence in Libya and Tunisia.

Economic Disparities

Unequal benefits from reforms among different social classes.

Political Coalitions

Alliances formed to support Giolitti's policies.

Strikes of 1901

Labor protests prompting Giolitti to respond to grievances.

Nationalist Party (1910)

Political group supporting imperialism and national unity.

Abyssinia's Independence

Recognition of Abyssinia's sovereignty after Italian defeat.

Peaceful Protests

Organised demonstrations allowed under Giolitti's measures.

Worker Grievances

Unresolved issues leading to continued worker unrest.

Police Repression

Police supported elites, exacerbating worker tensions.

Economic Production Goals

Prioritised over worker interests by Giolitti.

Political Division

Increased by workers aligning with protective parties.

Liberal System

Failed to protect interests of wealthy Italians.

Authoritarian Alternatives

Appealed to elites as a response to socialism.

Socialist Coalition

Giolitti's challenge to unite diverse socialist factions.

Moderate Socialist Deputies

Key allies for Giolitti in parliament.

PSI Vote Percentage

Socialist Party won 20% of votes in 1909.

Police Violence

Resulted in public outcry and socialist backlash.

Socialist Party Divisions

Internal conflicts hindered cooperation with Giolitti.

Intellectual Socialists

Largely comprised the socialist political leadership.

Corruption Accusations

Socialists viewed Giolitti's government as corrupt.

Insufficient Reforms

Many socialists believed Giolitti's reforms were inadequate.

Catholic Church Appeal

Giolitti's successful outreach to Catholic politicians.

Papal Voting Ban Lift

Increased Catholic voter turnout in 1909 elections.

Catholic Moderates

Sought political involvement to counter socialism.

Local Government Influence

Catholic deputies gained power in major cities.

Unstable Catholic Alliance

Giolitti's failure to meet Catholic demands.

Papal Land Issues

Land seized during Risorgimento remained contentious.

Catholic Electoral Backing

Papal support helped Giolitti in 1913 elections.

Consequences of Catholic Withdrawal

Reduced political opposition for the Liberal party.

Rise of Nationalism

Nationalism emerged as a significant force in Italy.

Pope's Support

Provided electoral backing to Giolitti in 1913.

Catholic Withdrawal

Catholic politicians left the political system.

Electoral Boycott

Catholics instructed non-participation in elections.

Liberal Party Boost

Gained strength from reduced political opposition.

Nationalism Emergence

Became a significant political force by 1914.

Opposition to Giolitti

Nationalists opposed Giolitti's conciliatory policies.

Public Sector Strike Ban

Nationalists advocated for prohibiting public sector strikes.