To what extent was Italy politically and economically united, 1896-1914? Despite official unification in 1870, Italy still remained somewhat divided, especially so under the Liberal government, 1896-1914. Attempted reforms to ease political and economic divisions had limited success, such as the voting reform of 1912 to introduce universal male suffrage (which increased the popularity of socialism) and modernisation in industries such as steel and hydroelectricity (which consequently widened the North/South divide). Italy still remained partially divided, which prevented total unification, both politically and economically. Firstly, Italy was only partially politically united, namely due to a number of liberal policies.
Mazzini created the Young Italy society after the 1831 revolutions. Young Italy helped spread opposition to the autocratic nature of the Italian rulers. It was established to create a republican nation-state. Although ‘Young Italy’ was still a small-scale, secret nationalist society, its effect on Italian attitudes was large, speaking in the long-term. Similar to the Carbonari groups, it was planned as a youth movement for the whole peninsula so had the potential to gain widespread and active support.
By 1815, the aims of these secret societies changed in the direction of driving out the Austrians and restoring old Monarchs. Consequently, these factors paved the way for revolts and armed the peasants with something they never had had before – power. In a large number, the masses could stand against the oppressive rule of the Austrians. Therefore, the events that followed in the years 1820 – 1849 were all underpinned by the resentment of this from Metternich and the importance he placed on controlling Italy. Metternich was the Austrian chancellor and saw the danger of Italian nationalism and the potentially threatening ideas that
The years of 1919-1922 saw Benito Mussolini’s role a vital to the development of the Fascist movement as he exemplified his strength and supremacy in distinction to the weak liberal government within the period of three years. Pre 1919 and the year of 1919 saw Italy struggle through a period of social and political unrest where Italy was suffering from a bad economic slump, high rates of unemployment and anger from failed promises delivered by its Allies. Following the examples of “Action Francaise”, a counter-revolutionary movement, came the National Fascist Party, the leader being the only thing saving Italy, an arrogant man, Benito Mussolini. The First World War had left Italy with nothing but high inflation, high unemployment, large debts and the economy in a complete slump leading to social and political unrest. Influenced by the Russian Revolution of 1917, a series of strikes and revolts had broken out making Italy nothing but a ground for organised crime.
Nationalism was very important as regards to the unification of Italy. It played various roles which led to success of the Italian unification, which means that nationalism is the main reason the unification of Italy occurred. The unification of Italy was as a result of the reaction against the congress of Vienna. The congress of Vienna forced direct Austrian rule in many Italian states. Unification also led to economic development and was thereby supported by conservative Politicians.
The growth in support for fascism in this period was indeed a key factor in Mussolini’s appointment as prime minister because it helped to put him on the political map. However, the level of this support was simply not large enough to explain Mussolini’s rise on its own. More important was the fear of socialism that gripped much of Italy at this time, along with the need for strong and stable government. Mussolini showed great skill in positioning himself as the answer to these two problems at the same time as convincing the Italian establishment that he would be a responsible prime minister who would respect the constitution and control fascist violence. He may not have had huge popular support, but by 1922 significant numbers of the most influential Italians were prepared to tolerate him as the only acceptable alternative to the status quo.
Growth of support for facism was a reason for Mussolinis appointment as Prime Minister,however there were many other reasons for Mussolinis appointment as PM, but growth of support was very important for him. The war and the mutilated victory, had an affect on Mussolinis appointment as PM. The main reason wad that the nationalists were bitterly disappointed that italy didn’t make any gains during the war. The nationalists claimed that Italy had been betrayed by the Liberal government, this shows that the nationalists might have wanted to overthrow the Liberal government and therefore supported Mussolini before he was appointed. This links into the title point that Mussolini had a wide support base and that it was growing.
when the great war ended there was a time of great tension between several countries involved within the war. Fascism was growing throughout Europe and by the 1930s had developed within Italy, Portugal and Germany. Fascism was also growing in the east in Japan. one of the key features within a fascist states foreign policy is its aggressive nature. Fascist ideology can be seen as a key feature to the outbreak of world war two at the end of the 1930s however fascist foreign policy was developed within Germany and Italy for other reasons.
From this emerged a number of evident figures such as Guiseppe Mazzini who were advocates for Italian Unification. However, the significance of Mazzini has been questioned and it could be argued that the limited appeal of his ideas were the main reason for the slow progress of national unity in Italy. Although, it could also be said that there were additional reasons such as regionalism, restored monarchies and the power of Austria that possessed more prominent effects. Guiseppe Mazzini was an Italian politician, journalist and activist for the unification of Italy. He strived for the unity of Italy as a whole peninsula that had a republican democracy.
The economic policies he had implemented had served their purpose in helping to garner further support for Mussolini and the fascists. Tannenbaum concludes correctly that Mussolini’s early liberal approach to the economy was nothing more than an ‘expedient to gain support where he could get it when he was consolidating his dictatorship.’ The years of 1926 and 1927 saw a marked shift away from the early liberal policies employed by de Stefani and a move towards much greater State intervention and the corporative State of which Mussolini was so proud, the so-called third way. Fascist Corporativism rejected both