Problems the Italian Government Faced at the End of the First World War
The occupation of Fiume by D'Annunzio and his armed men in 1919 was a
key problem that the Liberals found themselves to deal with. The
rising popularity of D'Annunzio whose direct methods, decisive
decision making and his employment of force were hailed by many
nationalists and ex-soldiers and made the Liberals look very fragile
and lacking in courage. However, this was just one of the problems it
faced.
Initially Italy were on the triple alliance's side. In 1915 after
Italy switched sides after realising the entente promised Italy the
lands of Trentino and Triesto and in addition to that also Southern
Tyrol, Istria and Dalmatia. However, after Austria gave in to the
Italians at the battle of Vittorio Veneto in 1918, Italy's delight at
the victory was short-lived as they were denied some of the lands they
were promised. The city of Fiume was denied by Britain and USA and any
share in German colonies and Dalmatia were also denied. The Italians
outraged at hearing this, particularly the Nationalists who blamed the
Liberals for Italy's failure to claim the lands it was promised.
The Italian government also had to face disillusioned war soldiers who
felt their war efforts were not reciprocated with the poor peace
settlements received by the Italy. As a result, soldiers felt
Liberalism would be unable to create the powerful, dynamic Italy they
wanted. Many Italians came to realise that the mutilated victory only
helped to gain only 12 miles in total. 650,000 men died in the war
effort leaving many families grieving, angered by the Liberal
government's policy of Conscription, which forced men to participate
in the war. At the end of the war Italy's gain seemed almost zero when
it was put against the huge human losses of life.
Not only was the human loss huge, but financially Italy was crippled
too. When funds proved to be insufficient, the government resorted to
printing money. The effect produced inflation where prices quadrupled
dramatically.
These were pivotal times in the annals of world history in the 20th century. Mussolini and Hitler’s rise to power was clearly a threat to the freedoms of the United States and its Allies. Through God’s grace and omnipotence, the US alliance, industrialization and intellectual might, we had the resources required to overcome the fierce and mighty threat of Fascism in the Free World.
Ginsborg P (1990). ‘A History of Contemporary Italy: Society and Politics: 1943-1980’ Published by Penguin; Reprint edition (27 Sep 1990).
Italian Fascism became an extremely important phenomenon under the reign of Benito Mussolini during the Second World War. With a run of 22 years, Fascism and its creator became the focal point of Europe during this time. Many Italian citizens, as well as critics believed that Fascism could be a third option, or the in between of Capitalism and Communism, two ideals that Mussolini refused to accept. With the Allies landing on the shores of Italy in their advance to Fascist capital, Mussolini fought for his ideals while the Allies aimed to liberate the country and the citizens who did not follow Mussolini’s government. Why did Italy change from a fascist government to a new government in the siege of Italy during WWII between 1943-45? Italy fought to create a new government in place of the fascist government headed by Benito Mussolini because of the multiple failed promises including a new Roman Empire as a means to overpower King Victor Emmanuel, and to improve on the poverty. The bombing of Rome, the fascist capital of Italy, was targeted by Allied troops entering Italy in order to capture Mussolini, and the armistice that the Italian citizens believed would eradicate Benito Mussolini and Fascism with the help of the Allied powers.
the Treaty of London, the deal made with B and F was not given to
Italy was a poor nation. She could only support her war effort by obtaining foreign loans. Immediately after the war, as Europe became exhausted, the Italian tourist trade and export trade came to a standstill and there was large scale unemployment throughout the country. The problem of unemployment was aggravated by the return of millions of ex-soldiers to Italy and a new immigration law of the U.S. government which restricted entry of immigrants. Runaway inflation added to the sufferings of the Italians. The lira (the Italian dollar) had only one fifth of its pre war value.
a united Italy, it was one which strode in a path towards it. A lack
The Fascists’ control of Italy up to 1939 could also be attributed to their economic policies. After World War I Italy was plagued with severe economic issues; all war-related industry ceased causing mass unemployment and trade union memberships soared meaning strikes were commonplace
Before the Great War, the continent of Europe was in a state of peace. Many countries did not have conflict building up between each other. Then unexpectedly, Great tensions arose, imperialism, alliances, and militarism. These all led up to the eruption of WWI.
First of all, this is determined by Italy's weak and foreign expansion policy. Secondly, this is also determined by Italy's national interests. Third, after the outbreak of World War I, the Allied Powers all met the requirements of the Italian territory.
Italy itself suffered cruelly in the war. Hannibal spent fourteen years there, mostly in southern Italy. As the years went by, the steep hillsides began to lose their topsoil. By war's end, southern Italy was permanently impoverished. In fact, in our own century, in the 1960s, the Italian government began to attempt to recover and reclaim the land from Hannibal, an effort that still goes on intermittently. Hannibal's legacy outlived Rome itself, Cato the Elder would be turning over in his grave if he knew this.
country. The Italians did not take help or aid from anyone for any reason. They brought
The positive effects of Benito Mussolini’s reign in Italy benefitted the country greatly. By putting Cesare Mori in charge of eliminating the mafia, he caused 11,000 of Italy’s criminals to be arrested, which caused the country’s crime rates to plummet. The nearly absolute end of the mafia brought peace and order to Italy, which the country’s citizens desperately needed. He also defended his country’s interests by going against the allies for not giving Italy the land that was promised to them if they joined them in the first world war. Mussolini also upgraded infrastructure in Italy and improved the Italian economy.
Italy in World War II World War II, which only lasted about five years, changed the course of history forever, and affected millions of lives. Among the major nations that were involved in the war, Benito Mussolini and his Italian army sought to settle their differences with many nations. Benito’s fascist views, his idea of a nation built by one race, and his relationship with Adolf Hitler ultimately led to his involvement in the war. His responsibility, in essence, was to ally himself with the superpowers of the world, and lead his people into a war that they could not fight. " Il Duce", (the leader), was the name that Benito Mussolini gave himself as his rise to power in Italy continued.
Exploring the Similarities and Differences Between the Foreign Policies of Mussolini and Hitler Similarities - Both foreign policies geared to achieving great power status o Hitler: lebensraum, wanted to have living space for the expansion of the German race and control over other groups o Mussolini: wanted control over Mara nostrum, Abyssinia, …an empire - fascist states o had anti communist feelings; o both signed anti comintern pact 1937 against USSR o Spanish civil war against communism helping Franco secure power o Signed pact of steel in may 1939, a full military alliance - unhappy with status quo, wanted international prestige o national grievances on Versailles, people wanted to change Versailles o Hitler, product of WW1 who was angry at Versailles and wanted to see Germany achieve great power status o Mussolini; felt that Italy had been treated unfairly at Versailles and also waned to change the status quo o Because of this both built up armies, navies and air forces.. Italian air force to block out the sun + German luftwaffe… - both Hitler and Mussolini, used diplomacy and force as well as aggression to get what they wanted o Mussolini over Greece where it undermined the LofN, used force to take Abyssinia 1935 o Hitler used the threat of force to take Austria and diplomacy as well as force to take Czech and Saarland in 193… - by 1939 both had a common enemy; Britain and France - both were aggressive nationalists and glorified warw - both wanted empires; abysinnia and lebenstraum to distract from problems at home.. Differences - Hitler was more clear in his aims and ideals whereas Mussolini was more vague and opportunistic o Although Hitler did take advantage of opportunities such as Abyssinia crises to remilitarise Rhineland he was more structured in his aims for Lebensraum, unification of all Germans, building up the army and recovering lost territories § Illustrated by Hitler’s success after success ; Rhineland in 36,
The Italian economy was underdeveloped going into World War I. unlike other nations, Italy was a