Giolitti and His programme
- Created by: Abigailmay16
- Created on: 06-05-20 15:42
View mindmap
- Giolitti and Government
- As a Politician
- He was the most prominent politician of the liberal era. he was the master of 'transformiso' and kept files on the weakness of every deputy in his Parliament. He was fairly cynical of politics and believed that his political opponents could be transformed into allies if the deal was right. His program on achieving key policy( a modern,industrialized Italy) relied on the support of- the socialists, the catholic church and the nationalists.
- Social Reforms
- Ideas focused on 'absorbing' the socialist generals, like Turati, by offering social reforms. For example, compulsory accident insurance in industrial work and a non-compulsory national insurance fund as well as the banning of employment of children under twelve and a women's working day of 11 hours.However, his most important concession came in 1906 when he asserted a new policy of arbitration courts. Ti was partly successful as it appeased moderates like Turati but the maximalists like a young Mussolini believed it undermined the party and prevented real change.
- Political Opponents
- Electoral Reforms
- Problems were acceuntated by changes to the suffrage which he had made pafrt of the goverment in 1911. Before, the vote was restricted to literate men over the age of 21 howvere it was increasigly diffuctlt to deny the vote to conscripted soldiers in Libya. In 1912 a new law was passed that extended vote to military men and men over 30, regardless of literacy. Despite that 70% of voter were now illetrate, he hoped that increased suffrage would increase support for liberal, making radical alternatives like the PSI less popular.
- Socialists
- The PSI was one of the very few formal parties in Italy. Socialism's growth mirrored Italy's industrialization as the population and major northern cities expanded due to constant migration. Milan, for example, doubled in size between 1880 and 1914. This transformed Italian politics- the greater mixing of Italians encourages the dissemination of political thoughts and increased literacy which in turn encouraged the growth of socialism for working class advancement. In contrast to liberal politicians, the socialists were active in spreading message to Italy's poor, holding public meetings, lectures and discussions in bars and cafes.,
- Catholics
- In 1904, he had announced that the 'church and sate were two parallel lines which should never meet.' Offered a series of policies and compromises to gain support of the church. For example, he allowed a divorce bill, which had nearly passed, to disappear from Parliament as well as promoting catholic interests in areas like education However, he was not prepared to give the pope any concession on roman territory so was unable to solve the 'Roman question'
- Nationalists
- Despite tensions with the church, his largest threat was the Nationalists. This had barely existed in 1908. The supposed failure of the values of Risorgimento, the humiliation defeat at the battle of Adwa and the country's weakness as a world power meant they gained popularity. They were antisocilaist and anti liberal and believed only through aggressive foreign policy could Italy gain the irredente lands and world power status. They were particularly supported by educated middle class. Nationalism was a dynamic force with which Gioltti struggled to deal with. Was unsuccessful in efforts to control party because of the strong patriotic message not seen in liberal politics.
- Electoral Reforms
- Foreign Policy
- Gioltti found Foreign policy particularly difficult. The triple alliance still held but was showing signs of strain by 1911.. Most problematically, Italy's interest with the Balkans led to clashes with its ally Austria. Nationalist forces demanded a more aggressive approach to Austria. In 1902, Italy signed a deal with France for french backing Italian influcence in Libya. Invasion wouldgainn support of Catholic church who had fincahal interest in Libya and encouraged the securing of it as an Italin coony. This was partly sucessful, Italy was forced to keep 50,000 troops there to pacify the Arabs and cost 3,500 Italian deaths. However, this was greeted as a reounding vicotry to overcome shame of Adwa.
- As a Politician
Comments
No comments have yet been made