To What Extent Was Italy Politically and Economically United in the Years 1896-1914?

1780 Words8 Pages
To what extent was Italy politically and economically united in the years 1896 – 1914? Between 1896 and 1914 there were huge political and economic changes that occurred in Italy. There was some progress politically due to Giolitti’s system of appeasing people, however, various different political groups were formed like the socialists, nationalists and anarchists, which therefore show a sign of disunity. Although, economically, Italy did grow between these years with the boom in agricultural industry for example, this growth did not unite Italy as the growth was mainly seen in the North and less so in the South. Hence Italy was economically and politically fragmented. Therefore , in the years 1896-1814, Italy was disunited to a great extent, both economically and politically. Italy was clearly disunited politically in the years 1896-1914, which we see from the various different groups/ parties that were formed during the time to oppose Giolitti’s government. During these years, many different groups spread in Italy like the socialists, anarchists and Marxists. All these groups ultimately meant more hard work for Giolitti, as they all opposed the liberal state and the government of Giolliti and hence wanted reform. Many ideas like those of the socialists were spreading due to industrialisation that was going on during this period of time. This caused an even bigger disunity, as it meant that ideas of people e.g. socialist ideas spread between people as they now worked closer together like in factories meaning ideas spread amongst these new working- class group of people. With areas like Milan growing from 300,000 to 600,000 between 1880-1914, it is clear how ideas could easily spread amongst the masses as there were now more people in areas than ever before. This added to the political disunity as the rising working classes meant that people would be more
Open Document