Italy initially joined the Central Powers in World War 1 due to existing alliances, but decided to remain neutral. In 1915, Italy joined the Allies through the Treaty of London due to promises of territorial gains. Italy's entry into the war was controversial, as the public was reluctant and parliament was not informed of secret negotiations. Italy struggled during the war due to high casualties, harsh conditions, and lack of unity between socialists, the pope, politicians, and the army. The war marked the end of liberal Italy and the rise of nationalism.

1. Italy in World
War one
More problems than benefits?

2. Decisions, decisions!

3. Decisions, decisions!
• In theory Italy should have joined the Central
Powers in World War one - because that’s who they
were allied with before the war.

4. Decisions, decisions!
• In theory Italy should have joined the Central
Powers in World War one - because that’s who they
were allied with before the war.
• However, they decided to wait and see - in many
ways a sensible strategy where war is concerned.

5. Decisions, decisions!
• In theory Italy should have joined the Central
Powers in World War one - because that’s who they
were allied with before the war.
• However, they decided to wait and see - in many
ways a sensible strategy where war is concerned.
• In 1915, they joined with the Allies in the Treaty of
London.

6. Hesitation

7. Hesitation

8. Hesitation
• Not many ordinary Italians wanted to
get involved

9. Hesitation
• Not many ordinary Italians wanted to
get involved
• The Nationalists could see the
benefits with territory

10. Hesitation
• Not many ordinary Italians wanted to
get involved
• The Nationalists could see the
benefits with territory
• Some Liberals could see the benefit
with domestic issues

11. Hesitation
• Not many ordinary Italians wanted to
get involved
• The Nationalists could see the
benefits with territory
• Some Liberals could see the benefit
with domestic issues
• Giolitti - ‘Italy could secure quite a lot
by negotiating with the other powers
to stay neutral’

12. Hesitation
• Not many ordinary Italians wanted to
get involved
• The Nationalists could see the
benefits with territory
• Some Liberals could see the benefit
with domestic issues
• Giolitti - ‘Italy could secure quite a lot
by negotiating with the other powers
to stay neutral’
• Businessmen could see both the
benefits and the problems

13. Italy enters the war

14. Italy enters the war

15. Italy enters the war
• Salandra (PM) was making
secret deals with the Allies

16. Italy enters the war
• Salandra (PM) was making
secret deals with the Allies
• Parliament was not
informed

17. Italy enters the war
• Salandra (PM) was making
secret deals with the Allies
• Parliament was not
informed
• Surprise when it was
discovered that Italy had
entered the war on the side
of the Allies

18. Pro - Italy’s Entry into World
War one

19. Pro - Italy’s Entry into World
War one

20. Reaction

21. Reaction
• ‘Overwhelming mass of Italians had greeted
intervention with silence; a silence that probably
signified not so much hostility or even indifference,
but resignation’

22. Italy at war

23. Italy at war
• 5 million conscripted

24. Italy at war
• 5 million conscripted
• 600,000 killed (Alpine foothills) - Mainly southern
peasants

25. Italy at war
• 5 million conscripted
• 600,000 killed (Alpine foothills) - Mainly southern
peasants
• Conditions harsh - poor rations/low pay/low leave

26. Italy at war
• 5 million conscripted
• 600,000 killed (Alpine foothills) - Mainly southern
peasants
• Conditions harsh - poor rations/low pay/low leave
• 300,000 court martialled for desertion

27. Italy at war
• 5 million conscripted
• 600,000 killed (Alpine foothills) - Mainly southern
peasants
• Conditions harsh - poor rations/low pay/low leave
• 300,000 court martialled for desertion
• Low morale

28. Humiliating defat
at Caporetto

29. Lack of unity

30. Lack of unity
• Socialists didn’t agree with the war - fear of
communists

31. Lack of unity
• Socialists didn’t agree with the war - fear of
communists
• Pope - called the war a ‘pointless slaughter’

32. Lack of unity
• Socialists didn’t agree with the war - fear of
communists
• Pope - called the war a ‘pointless slaughter’
• Army fought the war - politicians not really
involved . . . .therefore they couldn’t take credit when
things went well. . . . .but they were blamed when
things went badly

33. Lack of unity
• Socialists didn’t agree with the war - fear of
communists
• Pope - called the war a ‘pointless slaughter’
• Army fought the war - politicians not really
involved . . . .therefore they couldn’t take credit when
things went well. . . . .but they were blamed when
things went badly
• Orlando became PM after Caporetto

34. Industry in wwi

35. Industry in wwi
• Did very well - intervention from the govt. in
industries essential to the war effort (less rights for
workers - although they had jobs!)

36. Industry in wwi
• Did very well - intervention from the govt. in
industries essential to the war effort (less rights for
workers - although they had jobs!)
• Adjusting to peace proved difficult

37. Industry in wwi
• Did very well - intervention from the govt. in
industries essential to the war effort (less rights for
workers - although they had jobs!)
• Adjusting to peace proved difficult
• Workers also wanted the rights and prosperity they
thought they had earnt

38. End of liberal Italy

39. End of liberal Italy
• ‘Held as a triumph for the ideals of May 1915 -
patriotism, loathing of socialism, equality,
democracy, materialism, parliament,
humanitarism, pragmatism’