Mussolini and D'Annunzio On The Rise - Allies in Crisis Over Italy I THE GREAT WAR April 1919

The Great War

14 May 201926:13

EducationalLearning

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TLDRIn April 1919, the Paris Peace Conference reached an impasse over Italy's post-war territorial demands. Italy's insistence on acquiring territories along its border with Austria and the Adriatic port of Fiume, based on the Treaty of London, conflicted with the principles of self-determination championed by President Wilson. As tensions escalated, Italy's delegation left the conference, leading to a crisis. The impasse highlighted the complex interplay of power politics, nationalist pressures, and the idealistic vision for a new world order that the conference aimed to establish.

Takeaways

🕊️ The Paris Peace Conference in April 1919 was in deadlock over contentious issues such as Italy's post-war borders.
🇮🇹 Italy's demands for territorial gains, including the city of Trieste and the Adriatic port of Fiume, were based on the Treaty of London but exceeded it, causing tension with other Allies.
🌍 The Italian delegation left the Paris Peace Conference on April 24th, causing a crisis, as they sought to assert their claims for borders that would infringe upon the newly formed Yugoslavia.
🏛️ President Wilson and other Allies were uncomfortable with Italy's maximalist stance, which contradicted the principles of self-determination and the spirit of the Fourteen Points.
💔 Italy's internal politics, including nationalist pressure and a fragile government, influenced Prime Minister Vittorio Orlando and Foreign Minister Sydney Sonnino to adopt a hardline position at the negotiations.
🗣️ Wilson publicly expressed his views on the Italian demands, which was an unprecedented move that further escalated tensions and led to Italy's temporary withdrawal from the conference.
🔄 The crisis deepened as other nations, like Belgium and Japan, also threatened to leave the conference over their own grievances, highlighting the complexity of the post-war peace process.
🔄 Italy's absence from the conference temporarily halted progress on key issues, but the Allies continued to negotiate without them, indicating Italy's waning influence.
🏳️ Italy's return to the conference on May 6th marked a shift in strategy, as they began to moderate their demands, but the issues of Fiume and the Italian-Yugoslav border remained unresolved.
📚 The script also provides a broader context of global events in April 1919, including the Bavarian Soviet Republic, the Irish policy of ostracizing the British police, and the Amritsar massacre in India.

Q & A

What was the central issue at the Paris Peace Conference in April 1919 that threatened to destroy the wartime alliance of France, Great Britain, the U.S., and Italy?
-The central issue was the impossible problem of determining Italy's post-war borders, particularly the territorial gains along the old border with Austria, which included areas like Trentino, South Tyrol, northeastern Dalmatia, East RIA, and the city of Trieste.
Why did Italy leave the Paris Peace Conference on April 24, 1919?
-Italy left the conference due to a deadlock over its border demands, which were not being met by the other Allied powers. The Italian delegation returned to Rome to consult the Parliament on their next steps.
What was the Treaty of London, and why was it significant in the context of Italy's demands at the Paris Peace Conference?
-The Treaty of London was a secret agreement signed in April 1915 between Italy and the Allies, which served as the basis for Italy entering the war on the Allied side. Italy's demands at the Paris Peace Conference went beyond this agreement, causing controversy and tension among the Allied powers.
How did Italy's territorial claims at the Paris Peace Conference infringe on the claims of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes (Yugoslavia)?
-Italy's proposed borders included areas with significant non-Italian populations, such as German speakers and over a million Slovene and Croat speakers, which would have placed them under Italian rule, conflicting with the aspirations of the newly formed Yugoslavia.
What was President Woodrow Wilson's stance on the issue of Fiume (Rijeka) and why was it significant?
-President Wilson opposed Italy's claim to Fiume, viewing it as critical to the economic well-being of the Yugoslav hinterland. He believed that Fiume should not belong to Italy and that minority rights in Italy and Yugoslavia should be guaranteed, which stood in contrast to Italy's maximalist demands.
Why did Italy adopt a maximalist position at the Paris Peace Conference despite the opposition from its allies?
-Italy adopted a maximalist position due to a combination of factors: the significant sacrifices made during the war, the desire to expand the Italian nation-state, and the pressure from nationalist factions at home, including figures like Gabriella D'Annunzio and Benito Mussolini, who pushed for Italy to gain as much territory as possible.
What was the impact of Italy's departure from the Paris Peace Conference on the negotiations and the relationships among the Allied powers?
-Italy's departure created a crisis in the negotiations, as it highlighted the disagreements over the post-war borders and the principles of self-determination. It also strained the relationships among the Allied powers, particularly between Italy, the U.S., and Britain, as they struggled to reconcile their differing views on peacemaking.
How did the nationalist sentiment in Italy influence the Italian delegation's stance at the Paris Peace Conference?
-The nationalist sentiment in Italy, fueled by figures like D'Annunzio and Mussolini, demanded an uncompromising stand on territorial gains. This pressure from the nationalist right influenced the Italian delegation to adopt a hard-line position at the negotiations, even in the face of opposition from other Allied powers.
What was the significance of the Italian delegation's return to the Paris Peace Conference on May 6th, and what did it indicate about Italy's stance?
-The Italian delegation's return indicated that Italy was willing to re-engage in the negotiations despite the unresolved issues. It suggested that Italy realized the limitations of its leverage and the need to find a compromise, as the other Allied powers had continued the peace process without Italy.
What were some of the other significant events happening in Europe and around the world in April 1919, as mentioned in the script?
-Other significant events included the establishment of the Bavarian Soviet Republic in Munich, the Inter-Allied Women's Conference advocating for women's issues in Paris, the Irish parliament's policy of ostracizing the British police force, the Limerick Soviet in Ireland, the Romanian army's invasion of the Hungarian Soviet Republic, and the British Indian Army's Jallianwala Bagh massacre in India.

Outlines

00:00

😐 Paris Peace Conference Deadlock and Italian Border Dispute

In April 1919, the Paris Peace Conference reached an impasse over Italy's post-war border demands. The Italian delegation left Paris on April 24th, escalating the crisis. The 'Big Four'—leaders of France, Great Britain, the U.S., and Italy—were tasked with creating peace terms and a new world order to prevent future wars. Italy sought territorial gains based on the Treaty of London (1915), but their claims infringed upon the emerging Yugoslavia's interests. The U.S. President Woodrow Wilson, advocating for self-determination, opposed Italy's maximalist position, leading to a stalemate. Italy's demands were further complicated by nationalist pressures at home, with figures like Gabriella D'Annunzio and Benito Mussolini pushing for a hard-line stance.

05:02

😠 Italy's War Sacrifices and Nationalist Pressures

Italy's leaders, Vittorio Orlando and Sydney Sonnino, faced immense pressure from nationalists at home who demanded significant territorial rewards for the country's war sacrifices. Over 600,000 Italians were killed, and the nation nearly bankrupted itself during the war. The Italian public, influenced by nationalist rhetoric, expected territorial gains and a secure border. This expectation, coupled with the political fragility of Orlando's government, pushed Italy towards a maximalist stance in negotiations. The nationalist right, including D'Annunzio and Mussolini, used the term 'mutilated victory' to express their dissatisfaction with potential unfulfilled conquests, heightening tensions and contributing to a climate of unrest and violence.

10:03

🤔 Conflicting Allies' Interests and the Italian Dilemma

The Italian question was further complicated by the differing interests of its allies. The U.S., led by Wilson, was committed to self-determination and saw Italy's claims as contrary to the spirit of the 14 Points. The British and French were more pragmatic, focusing on the immediate peace settlement, but even they found Italy's demands excessive and were frustrated by Italy's inflexibility. Italy felt sidelined by its more powerful allies, who they believed had secured their interests at the expense of Italy's rightful gains. This sentiment was captured in Harold Nicolson's account of Italy's grievances and the perception that Italy was being made to 'pay the price' for a peace that did not serve its interests.

15:04

😡 The April Crisis and Italy's Withdrawal from the Peace Conference

The crisis came to a head in late April when the Italian delegation, led by Orlando, threatened to leave the conference if their demands were not met. The U.S., U.K., and France were frustrated with Italy's perceived lack of cooperation on broader peace issues. Italy was accused of delaying progress and showing little interest in non-Italian matters. Orlando's emotional outburst on April 20th and his subsequent threat to leave highlighted the depth of the crisis. Wilson's public statement, which rejected Italy's maximalist claims, further enraged Italian nationalists and led to Orlando's departure, exacerbating the rift between Italy and the other allies.

20:05

😞 The Aftermath of Italy's Return and Unresolved Issues

Despite leaving the conference, Italy returned on May 6th without having secured the concessions they sought. The distribution of German colonies and the final drafting of the Treaty of Versailles proceeded without Italy's input. Orlando's government eventually fell in June, leaving the issues of Fiume and the Italian-Yugoslav border unresolved. The crisis at the peace conference had a profound impact on Italy, fostering a sense of injustice and betrayal among the Italian public and strengthening extremist nationalism, which would later contribute to the rise of Mussolini's fascist movement.

25:07

🌏 April 1919: A Snapshot of Global Events and the Great War's Legacy

While the peace conference dominated headlines, other significant events unfolded globally in April 1919. The Bavarian Soviet Republic was established and quickly suppressed, the inter-allied Women's Conference concluded with some success in advocating for gender equality within the League of Nations, and the Limerick Soviet was declared in Ireland. In the former Russian Empire, battles and power struggles continued, with the Red Army making advances. Internationally, the assassination of Emiliano Zapata in Mexico and the Amritsar massacre in India highlighted ongoing conflicts and the growing push for independence in colonized regions. These events underscored the turbulence and the ongoing reverberations of the Great War.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Paris Peace Conference

The Paris Peace Conference was a meeting of the Allied Powers following the end of World War I to set the peace terms for the defeated Central Powers. In the video, it is central to the narrative as it is where the leaders struggled to determine the post-war world, particularly focusing on the contentious issue of Italy's borders.

💡Italian post-war borders

This term refers to the territorial claims Italy had after World War I, which became a major point of contention at the Paris Peace Conference. The video explains Italy's demands for territorial gains, such as the Trentino, South Tyrol, northeastern Dalmatia, East RIA, and the city of Trieste, and how these demands were largely based on the Treaty of London and Italy's participation in the war.

💡Treaty of London (1915)

The Treaty of London was a secret agreement signed in April 1915 between Italy and the Allies, which became the basis for Italy's entry into World War I on the Allied side. The video describes how Italy's post-war demands went beyond this agreement, causing disputes with other Allied powers, particularly over the inclusion of Fiume (Rijeka) and the Adriatic borders.

💡Self-determination

Self-determination is a principle that was key during the peace negotiations, advocating that nations should define their own political status. President Wilson's Fourteen Points emphasized this principle, and the video discusses how Italy's claims for new borders were at odds with the idea of self-determination, especially concerning the ethnic composition of the regions they claimed.

💡Wilson's Fourteen Points

Wilson's Fourteen Points were a set of principles for peace proposed by U.S. President Woodrow Wilson. The video highlights how Italy attempted to frame their territorial claims within the context of these points to gain support for their demands, despite the fact that their maximalist position conflicted with the principles of self-determination.

💡Nationalism

Nationalism in the video is portrayed through the intense pressure on the Italian delegation to take a hard-line stance in Paris and the public outcry in Italy over any perceived slight to Italian interests. It is exemplified by figures like Gabriella D'Annunzio and Benito Mussolini, who pushed for Italy to gain as much as possible from the war.

💡Gabriella D'Annunzio

Gabriella D'Annunzio was a decorated soldier, world-famous poet, and nationalist figure in Italy. The video mentions him coining the term 'mutilated victory' to express his views on Italy not receiving the conquests expected after the war, and his role in applying public pressure on the Italian delegation.

💡Benito Mussolini

Benito Mussolini, who later became the leader of the National Fascist Party in Italy, is mentioned in the video as someone who had pushed for a hard stance in the war and was part of the nationalist pressure on the Italian delegation during the peace talks. His newspaper published nationalist diatribes, contributing to the public sentiment.

💡Yugoslavia

Yugoslavia, or the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, was a newly formed state after World War I. The video explains how Italy's proposed borders infringed upon Yugoslavia's claims, leading to a serious problem for the other Allies, as it raised issues of national identity and the application of self-determination.

💡Fiume

Fiume, known as Rijeka to Croatians, was an Adriatic port that became a contentious issue in the peace negotiations. The video describes how Italy's claim to Fiume was based on a slim Italian majority within the city limits, but when the suburbs were included, the Croatians had a slight edge, leading to a complex dispute over the city's sovereignty.

💡Crisis of April 1919

The Crisis of April 1919 refers to the situation where the Italian delegation left the Paris Peace Conference due to the deadlock over Italy's border demands. The video details the escalation of this crisis, including the reactions of other Allied leaders, the impact on Italy's domestic politics, and the eventual return of Italy to the negotiations.

Highlights

April 1919 saw the Paris Peace Conference in crisis as Italy's border demands became a contentious issue.

Italy's delegation left Paris on April 24th, causing a deadlock in the peace process.

The Italian demands for post-war borders were based on the Treaty of London and included territorial gains from Austria.

The Adriatic borders became the most contentious, with Italy seeking a buffer zone and the port of Fiume.

The proposed Italian borders infringed on the claims of the newly forming Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes (Yugoslavia).

Italy's claims were opposed by the US, who advocated for self-determination and were against the Treaty of London.

Italian leaders Vittorio Orlando and Sydney Sonnino adopted a maximalist position in negotiations, seeking significant territorial gains.

Nationalist pressure in Italy, including from figures like Gabriele D'Annunzio and Benito Mussolini, pushed for hard-line stances.

Italian Prime Minister Orlando's minority government depended on the right-wing support, influencing his stance in Paris.

US President Wilson's principles and the need for Senate approval influenced his stance against Italy's maximalist demands.

The crisis escalated when Wilson took his case to the public, leading to a backlash in Italy and further deadlock.

The Belgians and Japanese also threatened to leave the conference over their respective grievances.

Orlando's government fell in June, leaving unresolved issues like Fiume and the Italian-Yugoslav border.

The peace conference crisis weakened Italy's democracy and fueled the rise of nationalism and fascism.

Other events in April 1919 included the establishment of the Bavarian Soviet Republic and the Amritsar massacre in India.

The Great War in 1919 is a production of Real Time History, providing in-depth analysis of historical events.

Transcripts

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