Italy 1919

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How did the First World War contribute to the difficulties faced by the Liberal state in 1919?

Italy faced many difficulties after World War One they lost a huge amount of money and gained very little territory which they were promised. Italy considered their win as a ‘mutilated victory’. Many historians consider Italy’s participation in World War One. There were many effects the world war one had on different factors, and in short term and long term. Political, territorial, and economical factions of Italy were affected and this led to a huge transformation in Italy.

In the years that led up to World War One, Italy had sided with Germany and Austria-Hungary in the Triple Alliance. In theory, Italy should have joined in the sides of these two nations when war broke out in August 1914. Italy did not. Italy's experience in World War One was disastrous and ended with the insult of her 'reward' at the Versailles Settlement in 1919.

What Italy did was to wait and see how the war progressed. On April 26th 1915, she came into the war on the side of the Triple Entente – Britain, France and Russia. This was a very glory hunting approach by Italy.

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Although Italy made some territorial gains at the post-war treaty of Versailles (14,500 square kilometres), this was not the view conveyed to the Italian people. Of the land promised in the Treaty of London, Italy failed to receive Dalmatia and African Colonies. Furthermore they had expected to receive Fiume, even though they weren't promised it. Nationalists promoted the idea that their victory was "mutilated", and held the liberal government responsible. Because Italy did not receive everything it was promised in the treaty of London, Nationalists were able to portray the liberals as weak, and as a result Prime Minister Orlando ...

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