Italy during 1914
Italy was a constitutional monarchy. Victor Emmanuel III had been king since 1900. People were appointed to the upper house of the National Assembly but the lower house was elected by universal adult male suffrage. The prime minister was Giovanni Giolitti but after the 1913 elections when socialists and radicals did well, he had a greatly reduced majority in the National Assembly.
Before entering the war Italy had been member of the Triple Alliance with Germany and Austria Hungary. However this alliance was not approved by the Italian population and there was some doubt about Italy’s military involvement on the Great War. Therefore, because of that and protection of Italy from France, Italy entered the war by the side of the Triple Entente (Britain, France and Russia) in 1915.
Before entering the war Italy had been member of the Triple Alliance with Germany and Austria Hungary. However this alliance was not approved by the Italian population and there was some doubt about Italy’s military involvement on the Great War. Therefore, because of that and protection of Italy from France, Italy entered the war by the side of the Triple Entente (Britain, France and Russia) in 1915.
Italy entering the War
When the outbreak of world war one began in summer, 1914, Italy declared itself neutral in the conflict. Later the leaders of Italy reconsidered the idea of entering the war because of the great benefits from the participation in the war. The decision to join by the side of the Allies was based on the assurance Italy received in the Treaty of London, signed in April 1915. The terms were, that Italy would receive the greatest benefits that they wanted, to gain which was having control over territory on its border with Austria-Hungary stretching from Trentino through the South Tyrol to Trieste. Also the Allies promised the Italians parts of Dalmatia and numerous islands along Austria-Hungary’s Adriatic coast; the Albanian port city of Vlore and central protectorate in Albania; and territory from the Ottoman Empire.
Italy's participation in the war
On may 23, 1915 Italy declared war on Austria-Hungary. Italy was, like Russia not yet a fully industrialized power. Italy was not prepared for large-scale warfare. Once declaring war, the Italian army advanced into the South Tyrol region and to the Isonzo River, where the Austro-Hungarian troops met them. After several quick Italian successes, combat settled into a statement.
By late 1917, the Austrians and Italians has fought around 11 battles, with progress and losses on both sides. Later in October 1917, Germany intervene to help Austria-Hungary that resulted on a victory for Italy in the Battle of Caporetto, during which Italian forces were forced to retreat. The defeat cause a crisis in Italy, Luigi Cadorna was replaced with Armando Diaz, and the formation of a coalition government under Prime Minister Vittorio Orlando. After Caporetto, Italy’s allies (Britain, France) assisted Italy with troops.When all the fighting ended by November 4 1918,in the ensuring peace negotiations with Paris, the Italian government struggled against great opposition from the other Allied leaders to see that they were given all they had been promised in the Treaty of London. Though Italy would eventually receive control of the Tyrol and a permanent seat on the League of Nations, many within the country were dissatisfied.
By late 1917, the Austrians and Italians has fought around 11 battles, with progress and losses on both sides. Later in October 1917, Germany intervene to help Austria-Hungary that resulted on a victory for Italy in the Battle of Caporetto, during which Italian forces were forced to retreat. The defeat cause a crisis in Italy, Luigi Cadorna was replaced with Armando Diaz, and the formation of a coalition government under Prime Minister Vittorio Orlando. After Caporetto, Italy’s allies (Britain, France) assisted Italy with troops.When all the fighting ended by November 4 1918,in the ensuring peace negotiations with Paris, the Italian government struggled against great opposition from the other Allied leaders to see that they were given all they had been promised in the Treaty of London. Though Italy would eventually receive control of the Tyrol and a permanent seat on the League of Nations, many within the country were dissatisfied.
Outcome for Italy
Deaths:
Impacts
By 1918, Italy was hit by very high inflation and unemployment. The Italians did not get what was promised at the Treaty of London and that caused resentment especially at the loses Italy had endured fighting for the Allies. Difficulties after the war led to violent protests by the growing Socialist Party, facilitating a coup led by Mussolini’s Fascist Party. Later they would allied to Germany to enter WWII by the side of the Axis Powers.
- Troops: 5,615,000
- Killed in Action: 462,391
- Wounded in Action: 953,886
Impacts
By 1918, Italy was hit by very high inflation and unemployment. The Italians did not get what was promised at the Treaty of London and that caused resentment especially at the loses Italy had endured fighting for the Allies. Difficulties after the war led to violent protests by the growing Socialist Party, facilitating a coup led by Mussolini’s Fascist Party. Later they would allied to Germany to enter WWII by the side of the Axis Powers.