Italy

What was Italy like in 1914?

Italy was among the weakest of the Great Powers in 1914.

What was Italy's foreign policy in 1914?

Italy had only been unified in 1870, therefore its foreign policy was focused on establishing Italy as a Great Power:

• ❖ It joined the Dual Alliance, with Germany and Austria-German, thereby turning it into the Triple Alliance, to gain recognition as a Great Power.
• ❖ The country was poor, many citizens were illiterate and government corruption was widespread, which weakened its economic and military strength.
• ❖ It claimed territories that were part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire where Italian-speaking people lived.
• ❖ It was part of the Triple Alliance mainly because it wanted the support of Germany. It did not want to defend Austria-Hungary.

What was the government of Italy like in 1914?

Italy was a constitutional monarchy with an elected parliament. The head of state was King Victor Emmanuel III.

What was the population of Italy in 1914?

Italy had 35 million citizens, in addition to a number of subjects in its small overseas empire.