Pearson Edexcel · A-Level · History
Course version: 9HI0 · Version from Sept 2015
Giolitti’s government in 1911: the influence of Giolitti; relations with…
Full specification wording
The liberal state, c1911–18: Giolitti’s government in 1911: the influence of Giolitti; relations with socialists, the Catholic Church and nationalists; foreign policy.
Giovanni Giolitti dominated Italian politics before 1914.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 9HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 2 of 4
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Giovanni Giolitti dominated Italian politics before 1914. His influence rested on trasformismo, control of the Chamber of Deputies and a pragmatic approach to reform. In 1911 his government proposed near-universal male suffrage (enacted in 1912) and social legislation. Relations with socialists were mixed: he allowed strikes and invited reformists into government, but repressed radical unrest. With the Catholic Church, he sought reconciliation, though the Papacy remained hostile. Nationalists criticised his caution and demanded empire; his 1911 invasion of Libya aimed to satisfy them. Foreign policy balanced alliances with Germany and Austria-Hungary while pursuing colonial expansion. A concrete example is the franchise reform proposed in 1911, increasing the electorate from 3 to 8.5 million men.
What earns the marks
- Explains Giolitti’s influence through the use of trasformismo, control of parliament, and pragmatic reform to maintain stability.
- Analyses relations with socialists, noting his tolerance of strikes and reformist cooperation alongside the repression of radicalism.
- Analyses relations with the Catholic Church, highlighting attempts at reconciliation despite continued papal opposition to the liberal state.
- Analyses relations with nationalists, focusing on their criticism of Giolitti’s caution and the 1911 invasion of Libya as a response.
- Evaluates foreign policy by examining the alliance with Germany and Austria-Hungary, colonial expansion, and the impact of the Libyan war.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Seeing Giolitti as a socialist.
Put it right: He was a liberal reformer who used socialists when useful but opposed revolution.
Assuming the Catholic Church supported the liberal state.
Put it right: The Papacy remained hostile, though some Catholics cooperated locally.
Dating the franchise extension to 1911.
Put it right: The reform was proposed in 1911 but enacted in 1912, expanding the electorate to 8.5 million.
Exam tips
- Structure answers around Giolitti’s influence, relations with socialists, Catholics and nationalists, and foreign policy.
- Use specific examples, such as the franchise reform proposed in 1911 or the invasion of Libya, to illustrate each relationship.
Try the lesson
The start of the The liberal state, c1911–18: Giolitti’s government in 1911: the influence of Giolitti; relations with socialists, the Catholic Church and nationalists; foreign policy. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
How did Giovanni Giolitti attempt to manage the socialist movement during his time as prime minister?
Listen
Giovanni Giolitti dominated Italian politics before 1914. His influence rested on trasformismo, control of the Chamber of Deputies and a pragmatic approach to reform. In 1911 his government proposed near-universal male suffrage (enacted in 1912) and social legislation. Relations with socialists were mixed: he allowed strikes and invited reformists into government, but repressed radical unrest. With the Catholic Church, he sought reconciliation, though the Papacy remained hostile. Nationalists criticised his caution and demanded empire; his 1911 invasion of Libya aimed to satisfy them. Foreign policy balanced alliances with Germany and Austria-Hungary while pursuing colonial expansion. A concrete example is the franchise reform proposed in 1911, increasing the electorate from 3 to 8.5 million men. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explains Giolitti’s influence through the use of trasformismo, control of parliament, and pragmatic reform to maintain stability. Analyses relations with socialists, noting his tolerance of strikes and reformist cooperation alongside the repression of radicalism. Analyses relations with the Catholic Church, highlighting attempts at reconciliation despite continued papal opposition to the liberal state. Analyses relations with nationalists, focusing on their criticism of Giolitti’s caution and the 1911 invasion of Libya as a response. A common slip: Seeing Giolitti as a socialist. Instead, he was a liberal reformer who used socialists when useful but opposed revolution. Exam tip: Structure answers around Giolitti’s influence, relations with socialists, Catholics and nationalists, and foreign policy.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
trasformismo
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relations with socialists
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relations with the Catholic Church
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foreign policy
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See every definition
- trasformismo
- A basis of Giolitti's influence, alongside control of the Chamber of Deputies and a pragmatic approach to reform.
- relations with socialists
- Mixed: he allowed strikes and invited reformists into government, but repressed radical unrest.
- relations with the Catholic Church
- He sought reconciliation, though the Papacy remained hostile to the liberal state.
- foreign policy
- It balanced alliances with Germany and Austria-Hungary while pursuing colonial expansion, including the 1911 invasion of Libya.
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