‘The advances made by Italy during the years from 1861to 1870 were reversed during the years from 1871 to 1896.’ How far do you agree?
Level
A Level
Year Examined
2020
Topic
Italy and unification 1789-1896
👑Complete Model Essay
‘The advances made by Italy during the years from 1861to 1870 were reversed during the years from 1871 to 1896.’ How far do you agree?
The Advances Made by Italy During the Years from 1861 to 1870 Were Reversed During the Years from 1871 to 1896: How Far Do You Agree?
The unification of Italy in 1861 marked a turning point in Italian history, ushering in a period of profound change and transformation. The decade that followed, 1861-1870, witnessed significant advances in consolidating the newly formed kingdom, forging national identity, and establishing Italy as a player on the international stage. However, the years from 1871 to 1896 brought about a complex and multifaceted transition, characterized by both progress and setbacks. To what extent can the developments of the latter period be seen as a reversal of the advancements achieved during the earlier years?
The Challenges of Unification and the Legacy of the 1860s
While the years 1861-1870 are often lauded as a period of triumph for Italy, it is important to recognize the inherent tensions and challenges that existed from the very beginning. The unification process itself was fraught with difficulties, as the newly formed kingdom encompassed a diverse array of regions with distinct cultural, economic, and political identities. The North, particularly Piedmont, was economically advanced and politically experienced, while the South lagged behind in development, burdened by poverty, illiteracy, and a history of oppression under Bourbon rule.
The imposition of the Piedmontese system of administration throughout the peninsula, while aimed at creating a unified state, did little to address the underlying North-South divide. The introduction of free trade in the South, intended to stimulate economic growth, was met with resistance from local producers and failed to yield the desired results. Moreover, the suppression of the Brigands' War, a violent uprising in the South, demonstrated the deep-seated resentment and instability that plagued the newly unified kingdom. These issues, far from being resolved in the 1860s, continued to pose significant challenges in the decades that followed.
The Complexities of the Post-1870 Period
The period from 1871 to 1896 witnessed a continuation of many of the challenges faced in the earlier phase of Italian unification. While some progress was made, notably in terms of infrastructure development and the expansion of education, the unresolved issues of poverty, social inequality, and regional disparity continued to plague the country.
The failure to fully address the North-South divide contributed to the rise of social and political unrest. The growth of socialism in the 1880s and 1890s, fuelled by worker discontent and calls for social justice, posed a significant challenge to the Italian state. The economic slowdown that followed 1870, coupled with the emergence of the phenomenon known as "trasformismo," a system of political maneuvering characterized by shifting alliances and patronage, further eroded public trust in the government. The disillusionment with the liberal state and the growing sense of instability were evident in the widespread opposition to the government and the increasing popularity of socialist ideologies.
The Question of Reversal: Continuity and Change
To conclude, while the years from 1871 to 1896 did witness challenges and setbacks that could be viewed as a "reversal" of certain advances made in the 1860s, it is more accurate to view this period as a complex continuation of the challenges inherent in Italian unification. The North-South divide, the rise of social unrest, and the erosion of political trust in the state were not entirely "reversed" but rather became more pronounced and challenging in the years after 1870. The Italian state, despite its efforts to establish a strong national identity and secure its place on the international stage, remained deeply divided and fragile.
While the years after 1870 may appear to represent a reversal of the progress of the 1860s, they also witnessed significant developments, including the expansion of infrastructure, the growth of the Italian economy, and the rise of a burgeoning middle class. The period from 1871 to 1896 was a time of both challenges and opportunities, marked by the ongoing struggle to consolidate a unified Italy and navigate the complexities of nation-building. Ultimately, the history of Italy in this period is not a story of clear-cut reversals, but rather a complex tapestry of continuity and change, where progress and setbacks intertwined to shape the destiny of a newly unified nation.
Note: History Study Pack Required
Score Big with Perfectly Structured History Essays!
Prepare effortlessly for your A/AS/O-Level exams with our comprehensive...
History Study Pack.
✅ 1200+ Model Essays: Master your essay writing with expertly crafted answers to past paper questions.
✅ Exam Boards Covered: Tailored materials for AQA, Cambridge, and OCR exams.
🍃 Free Essay Plan
The Advances Made by Italy During the Years from 1861 to 1870 Were Reversed During the Years from 1871 to 1896. How Far Do You Agree?
This essay will explore whether the advances made by Italy during the years 1861-1870 were reversed during the years 1871-1896. It will argue that while the period 1861-1870 saw significant progress towards national unity and modernization, the years 1871-1896 were marked by significant challenges and setbacks that ultimately hindered Italy's development.
Arguments in Favor of Reversal
Several factors support the argument that Italy's progress was reversed after 1870.
Firstly, the North-South divide, a pre-existing problem, deepened in the later period. The Piedmontese system of administration, while initially successful in suppressing the Brigands' War, failed to address the economic and social disparities between the regions. The economic slowdown after 1870 exacerbated these inequalities, leading to widespread poverty and social unrest in the South.
Secondly, the growth of socialism in the 1880s and 1890s further destabilized the Italian state. Opposition to the ruling elite and the perceived failures of the liberal state fueled social discontent.
Thirdly, the abandonment of irredentism and the rapprochement with Austria through the Triple Alliance in 1882 signaled a shift in Italian foreign policy, which many saw as a betrayal of national aspirations. The humiliating defeat at Adowa in 1896 further damaged national pride and exposed the weakness of the Italian military.
Finally, the period 1871-1896 witnessed the rise of trasformismo, a political system characterized by instability and corruption. This undermined public trust in the government and contributed to a sense of disillusionment with the Italian state.
Arguments Against a Complete Reversal
While the period after 1870 presented challenges, it's important to acknowledge that the advances of 1861-1870 were not entirely reversed.
Firstly, the unification of Italy itself, although achieved through a complex and sometimes chaotic process, laid the foundation for a unified nation-state. The Brigands' War, while a significant problem, did not undo the progress made towards national unity.
Secondly, the introduction of free trade in the South, while arguably insufficient, did represent a step towards economic integration and modernization.
Thirdly, the defeat of the Brigands' War and the subsequent establishment of a centralized government demonstrated the effectiveness of the Italian state in asserting its authority.
Finally, the later period saw some positive developments, such as the strengthening of the educational system and the introduction of electoral reforms. The period after 1876, under the leadership of Depretis, saw a greater focus on addressing the needs of the South.
Conclusion
The years 1871-1896 were undoubtedly a period of significant challenges for Italy. The North-South divide deepened, political instability grew, and national aspirations were frustrated. However, it's crucial to avoid overstating the case for a complete reversal of progress. While Italy faced setbacks, the groundwork for a unified and modern nation was laid in the 1860s. The later period can be seen as a continuation of the struggles and successes of the earlier period. Ultimately, the Italian state emerged from this period as a powerful force in European politics, despite the challenges it faced.
This essay has argued that while the advances made by Italy during the years from 1861 to 1870 were significant, they were not entirely reversed during the years from 1871 to 1896. The later period presented significant challenges, but it also witnessed the continuation of the process of national consolidation and modernization. The Italian state, while facing internal divisions and external pressures, continued to grow and develop, setting the stage for its future role in the international arena.
Extracts from Mark Schemes
In arguing the advances made during the years 1861-70 were reversed during the years 1871-96, answers may refer to the following:
The successful growth of Italian unity during the first period with the creation of the kingdom itself in 1861, the defeat of pro-Bourbon opposition in the South by 1865 and the establishment of Rome as Italy’s capital in 1870. This may then be compared to the increasing disunity of the later period and, especially, the failure to tackle the North/South divide.
The imposition of the Piedmontese system of administration throughout the peninsula in the 1860s and the introduction of free trade in the South. This may be contrasted to the increasing failure to maintain the same developments in both North and South during the 1880s and 1890s.
The defeat of the Brigands’ War in the 1860s and the contrast with the growth of Socialism in the 1880s and 1890s, noting the latter’s opposition to the Italian state.
The success of the 1860s in driving Austrian influence out of Italy and the contrast with the general abandonment of the irredentist cause after 1870, the rapprochement with Austria indicated by the Triple Alliance of 1882, and the humiliation of Adowa in 1896.
The weakening of the influence of the Papacy occasioned by the seizure of the majority of the Papal States and, finally, that of Rome in 1870. This may be contrasted with the growing strength of the Vatican after 1870 with the creation of the Opera dei Congressi in 1874.
The hopes of the 1860s that the benefits of liberalism would produce support for the new kingdom and the contrast with the problems produced by the economic slowdown which followed 1870 and the growth of opposition to the liberal state which followed. Reference may also be made here to the disillusionment brought about by the operation of trasformismo seen as originating in 1883.
In arguing the advances of 1861-70 were not reversed in the years which followed, answers may well point out the following:
The successes of the first decade may easily be exaggerated. Italian unification was achieved “accidentally” and the Brigands’ War demonstrated only too clearly the lack of unity apparent immediately after the creation of the Italian kingdom. Rather than the years after 1870 showing a reversal of Italian success, they therefore demonstrated a continuation of its problems.
The widespread demonstrations organised by Republicans in Sicily throughout the 1860s.
The introduction of Piedmontese systems of government, which simply reflected the lack of understanding of the South by Cavour and his successors, meaning the North/South divide was a problem from the very beginning of the period.
The cost of the Brigands’ War and the sense of disillusionment with the new kingdom which that war brought about as early as the mid-1860s.
The “myth of the Risorgimento” was, in fact, stronger after 1870 with, for example, the erection of monuments to Garibaldi and to Victor Emmanuel II. Such arguments may see 1876 as a positive turning point as, following that, Depretis proved far more sensitive to the needs of the South and reforms of the electoral system and education followed in the 1880s.
The 1860s had witnessed military defeat at Custoza and Lissa and the conclusion of the Triple Alliance was, in fact, an attempt to raise Italy’s international prestige.
Though the origins of trasformismo can be dated in 1883, Cavour had operated a very similar system in Piedmont in the 1850s and accusations of corruption amongst politicians had plagued the 1860s as seen in the “Tobacco Scandal” of 1868/9.
The “sense of mission” of Crispi with, for example, the attitude of Cavour towards Italy in 1861.