italy fact test 2 - impact of WW1

Treaty of London (April 1915)

A secret treaty where Italy agreed to join the Entente in return for land (South Tyrol, Trentino, Istria, Dalmatia, parts of Turkish & German colonies).

PM Salandra's hope

Hoped the war would unite the nation through patriotic fervour.

Opposition to intervention

Giolitti (argued Italy was unprepared); Socialists (saw war as capitalist); Catholics (opposed killing fellow Catholics).

Support for intervention

Mussolini and Nationalists — believed war would bring revolution and strengthen Italy's global status.

Radiant days of May

Period of public demonstrations for war that led to Italy's declaration of war in May 1915.

Military Stalemate (1915

16)

General Cadorna's methods

Harsh discipline (750 men executed), blamed troops for cowardice.

Soldiers killed or wounded by 1918

Around 650,000 killed and over 1 million wounded.

Morale among Italian soldiers

Many were southern peasants with little understanding of why they fought; poor conditions and contempt from officers.

Caporetto (October 1917)

Austrians pushed Italians back 100 miles; huge defeat, 300,000 soldiers deserted.

Reaction in Italy after Caporetto

Public outrage — blamed the government and military leadership.

General Diaz's changes

Improved morale, rations, and strategy (defensive at Piave).

Political impact of Caporetto

PM Boselli resigned → replaced by Orlando; reinforced divisions between Liberals, Socialists, and Catholics.

PSI's stance on war

Refused to vote for war credits; policy of 'neither support nor sabotage.'

Socialists gaining support

Anger over rationing, low wages (fell by 25%), long hours, and profiteering by industrialists.

Companies benefiting from war contracts

Fiat, Montecatini, Breda.

Socialist anger at government

Salandra ruled by decree; democracy sidelined; strikes banned; some riots suppressed (50 killed in Turin 1917).

Russian Revolution's effect on Italian socialism

Inspired radicals — belief that revolution could follow once war controls were lifted.

Worries of Italian elites about Russian Revolution

Showed how socialism could overthrow existing order; upper/middle classes feared loss of property and power.

Turati's difference from Lenin

PSI leader Turati did not plan to seize power — believed revolution would come naturally.

Italy's war economy by 1918

Surprisingly effective — Italy produced more artillery than Britain by 1918.

Key figures in wartime production

Fiat (vehicles), Dallolio (Under

Financial consequences of war

Government debt rose from 3 to 23 billion lira; inflation quadrupled prices; hit middle class hardest.

Region benefiting most economically

The north (20% growth), widening the north

Problems after the end of the war economy

Industries lost demand, unemployment rose, inflation eroded savings.

Italy's final victory in WWI

Battle of Vittorio Veneto (October 1918) — Austria surrendered soon after.

Political divisiveness of victory

Deepened divisions — right

Trenchocracy

A term for ex

Right

wing nationalists' use of victory

Tensions emerging after the war

Soldiers wanted rewards; peasants wanted land; workers wanted jobs — expectations the government couldn't meet.