Giovanni Giolitti

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Giovanni Giolitti

Giovanni Giolitti: A Brief Background

Between 1892 and 1921, Giolitti was prime minister of

Italy 5 times, a duration which had made him the second-longest serving prime minister of Italy (After

Mussolini)

Following the unification of Italy, Giolitti was responsible for creating an accepted government which adopted certain elements of the extreme sides of the politically right and left

He was someone with massive ethical concerns and was a left-wing democrat, and was widely recognised as the man who implemented social reforms which improved the living standards of vast Italian families

Giolitti was very knowledgeable in political arts such as

Transformismo

Following his graduation, he moved into government roles centred around financial administration

In 1892 he became prime minister for the very first time, although it would certainly not be his last either

Giolitti was viewed as a controversial figure by many

Italians, but was also defended by some as a ‘great statesman’ who worked for his country

An example of this is the ‘Giolittan Manner,’ which was used as a term which referred to Giolitti’s well-known tactics of manipulation and control over party combinations

STRENGTHS

Made significant improvements in social issues ie banned child labour, limited women to 11 hours work a day.

Introduced near universal male suffrage

Gained Libya in the controversial Italo-Turkish war.

Gained Catholic support.

WEAKNESSES

His first term in office was full of problems and mismanagement- banks struggled partially through the rupture with France.

Liquidation of the Banca Romana hurt his reputation and stunk off corruption to the people- forcing his resignation.

His policy of ignoring strikes led to widespread chaos and disruption.

But eventually lost both socialist/nationalist support because of his actions

(social improvements/war) and also from his Catholic alliance.

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