post war economic crisis and social discontent

How high was unemployment by November 1919 and why was it so high?

2 million. Lots of soldiers returned home, flooding the job market.

Which companies struggled to stay afloat after the war?

Fiat, Ansaldo, Ilva

Which two major munitions companies collapsed in 1921?

• Ansaldo and Ilva. This caused a banking crisis, as one of Italy's major banks, Banca di Sconto, which had close links to Ansaldo, was forced to close.

When was Biennio Rosso and what was it?

1919-1920-labour and militancy strikes . Conclusion of war had seen the release of anarchist and socialist radicals, who organized considerable campaigns which called for greater workers rights and potential revolution.

How did membership to socialist unions change from 1918 to 1920?

1918- 250,000

1920- 2 million

When did the largest strike take place and how many workers took over the factories?

In Sept 1920, 400,000 workers took over factories and flew the red flags of communism and the black flags of anarchism over the buildings for nearly four weeks.

How did the Biennio Rosso strikes end?

Gov put an end to the unrest and calmed the industrial situation.

What strikes were happening when during Biennio Rosso?

1919= rising food prices caused rots and looting

January 1920= railway strikes

April and Sept 1920= telegraph worker strikes

July 1920= army troops strike

What problems occurred related to land reform in the years 1919-20?

Peasants were angry because the government had not fulfilled promises for land reform made during the war. While some land was made available to purchase, it was not enough. In response, peasants seized lands from owners.

When was the forceful seizure of land by peasants the biggest problem?

In areas like Ferrara and Bologna, where rural socialist unions controlled the employment of rural laborers, meaning they excluded farming laborers who were not members of socialist unions. In many cases, they carried out violent attacks on workers and land owners who refused to join.

What did the gov do in response to the forceful seizure of land by peasants?

They barely responded.