La SINISTRA STORICA di Agostino DEPRETIS (1876-1887)

La Storia sul Tubo

17 Jun 202409:45

Summary

TLDRFollowing the Third War of Independence and the capture of Rome, Italy's political landscape shifted as the Historical Right's dominance waned. The 1874 elections saw the Historical Right win with a slim margin, but the South brought change with the Historical Left's overwhelming victory. The country appeared divided, and the second Minghetti government was unstable. After losing the majority in 1876, the Historical Right fell, and Agostino De Pretis formed a new government, marking the 'parliamentary revolution.' De Pretis, with a progressive program, aimed to widen the electoral base, secularize education, and support agricultural reforms. Despite initial progress, the government faced challenges from parliamentary maneuvering and economic difficulties, leading to a period of immobilism and the rise of the Radical Party as the only real opposition.

Takeaways

🇮🇹 The script discusses the political landscape of Italy after the Third War of Independence and the capture of Rome, highlighting the unification of Italy under the historical Right.
🏛️ The historical Right's mission is complete, but the sacrifices have left a deep scar on the peninsula, indicating the need for new forces to lead Italy towards the future.
🗳️ The 1874 elections see the historical Right winning with a narrow margin, but a significant change is brewing in the south, where the historical Left gains momentum.
🔄 The political shift is marked by the fall of the historical Right and the rise of the historical Left, with Agostino De Pretis forming a new government, representing a 'parliamentary revolution'.
🤝 The union between the historical Left and Right is characterized by private political agreements, reflecting a time when ideological differences were not as stark.
📉 The new government under De Pretis faces challenges, including managing the economic difficulties of Italy, which is still largely an agricultural country with limited industrial development.
🏫 De Pretis's program includes educational reforms, such as making elementary education free, secular, and compulsory, and extending the school-leaving age.
🗳️ The electoral reform of 1882 expands the electorate significantly, shifting the political landscape and introducing more radical voices into Parliament.
🔄 The concept of 'transformism' emerges, where moderates from both the historical Left and Right unite to form a centrist bloc, aiming to isolate extreme factions.
🏭 The industrial sector begins to expand, but the growth is uneven and largely driven by speculative real estate investments rather than a broad industrial base.
🌍 Italy starts to engage in the game of great powers, seeking alliances and navigating the complex dynamics of European politics.

Q & A

What significant event marked the end of the Third War of Independence and the beginning of a more united Kingdom of Italy?
-The significant event was the capture of Rome, which marked the end of the Third War of Independence and led to a more united Kingdom of Italy.
What political shift occurred in the 1874 Italian elections, and what percentage of votes did the Right gain?
-In the 1874 Italian elections, there was a political shift with the Left Historical party winning overwhelmingly in the southern regions. The Right gained 53.6% of the votes, winning at a national level with a minimal margin.
Who was Agostino De Pretis and what was his political background?
-Agostino De Pretis was an exponent of the Left Historical party, coming from the Liberal progressive tradition of Piedmont. He was called upon by Vittorio Emanuele II to form a new government after the fall of the Right Historical party.
What was the historical term given to the union between the two political factions during De Pretis's time, and why was it called so?
-The union between the two political factions during De Pretis's time was called the 'parliamentary revolution.' It was the result of private political agreements between various deputies, and it was possible because the differences between the Right and Left were not as marked during those years.
What was the impact of the 1876 elections on the Italian political landscape?
-The 1876 elections resulted in a landslide victory for De Pretis and the Left Historical party, with almost 60% of the votes, confirming their trust and influence in the Italian political landscape.
What were the key elements of De Pretis's political program presented in Stradella in 1875?
-De Pretis's political program included a new electoral law to expand voting rights, making elementary education free and compulsory, promoting an agricultural survey to help farmers, reforming taxes by abolishing the milling tax, and favoring direct elections of mayors to increase local autonomy.
What was the significance of the 1877 school reform law signed by the Minister of Education, Michele Coppino?
-The 1877 school reform law, signed by Michele Coppino, was significant as it extended the compulsory schooling to the ninth year of age, surpassing the Casati law, and introduced financial penalties for parents who neglected this obligation.
How did the electoral reform of 1882 change the Italian electorate?
-The electoral reform of 1882 expanded the suffrage, increasing eligible voters from 600,000 to 2 million, changing the electorate by allowing those who paid at least 19 lire in annual taxes or those who could read and write to vote.
What was the concept of 'transformism' in the Italian political context of the 1880s, and how did it affect the Parliament?
-Transformism in the Italian political context of the 1880s was the concept of moderates from both the Left and Right Historical parties joining forces to form a centrist bloc, aiming to isolate the more extreme ends of the Parliament. This led to a continuous negotiation between parties, often resulting in policy stagnation and the rise of clientelism and corruption.
How did the economic policies of the Left Historical party during the 1880s impact Italy's industrial development?
-The economic policies of the Left Historical party included tax reforms, the return to the Gold Standard, and the adoption of protectionism. These policies aimed to support industry and finance by creating a credit system and by imposing tariffs on raw materials and industrial products, which helped the economic system to breathe but were not enough to overcome the fiscal depression that lasted until 1896.

Outlines

00:00

🗽 Post-Unification Italy: Rise of the Historical Left

Following the Third War of Independence and the capture of Rome, the Historical Right's role in uniting Italy is highlighted. Despite the country becoming more united, the sacrifices left a deep scar. The script discusses the 1874 elections where the Historical Right won with a slim margin, and the significant change from the South. The Historical Left, exploiting feelings of abandonment and frustration among voters, overwhelmingly won in Southern regions. The country appeared divided, and the Parliament, including Minghetti's second government, was unstable. Scaiola, the Minister of Public Instruction, left shortly after the government's formation. The Historical Right wanted to nationalize railways, which were privately owned, leading to a fierce conflict with the Historical Left. On March 18, 1876, the government lost its majority, and Minghetti had to resign. Vittorio Emanuele II called upon Agostino De Pretis, a figure from the Historical Left, to form a new government. De Pretis, from the Liberal progressive tradition of Piedmont, gained support from both the Left and part of the Historical Right. This union was termed the 'parliamentary revolution' and was a result of private agreements among deputies. The new government needed a vote in November 1876, and with a turnout of about 350,000 out of 600,000 eligible voters, De Pretis and the Historical Left gained a resounding victory with nearly 60% of the votes. The government under De Pretis lasted from 1876 to 1887, with only two interruptions in 1878 and 1879.

05:01

🏛️ The Transformation of Italian Politics: From Unification to Economic Challenges

The script outlines the political changes in Italy, including the succession of kings with the death of Vittorio Emanuele II and the ascension of Umberto I, marking a new era for the House of Savoy. De Pretis presented his political program in Stradella, focusing on a new electoral law to expand voting rights, making elementary education free and compulsory, conducting an agricultural survey to aid farmers, reforming taxes, and promoting direct elections for mayors to increase local autonomy. The script then discusses the implementation of school reforms, with the 1877 law signed by Minister of Education Michele Coppino, which made school attendance compulsory up to the age of nine, introducing financial penalties for parents who neglected this duty. However, the management of education remained in the hands of municipalities, which often lacked the resources to build new schools or recruit teaching staff. The 1882 electoral reform expanded the electorate from 2.2% to 6.9% of the population, with voting rights given to those over 21 who paid at least 19 lire in annual taxes or were literate. This led to the emergence of more radical and republican voters. Despite the initial program, the Historical Left decided not to push for administrative decentralization, continuing the line of the Historical Right. The script also covers the concept of 'transformism', where moderates from both the Left and Right united to form a centrist bloc to isolate the extremes of Parliament. This led to a policy of compromise and continuous negotiation between parties, resulting in government immobilism and instability. The only real opposition to this system was the extreme left, structured since 1877 in the Radical Party. The script concludes with the economic challenges faced by Italy, still largely an agricultural country with industrial development slowed by a lack of energy sources and small to medium-sized businesses. The first labor reforms were introduced, including the establishment of the National Insurance Fund for Workers' Accidents and a law to protect minor labor. The script also discusses fiscal reforms, the return to the Gold Standard, and the adoption of protectionism to support industry and finance groups.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Third War of Independence

The Third War of Independence refers to a series of military engagements that took place in 1866, leading to the unification of Italy under the Kingdom of Italy. In the context of the video, it signifies a pivotal moment in Italian history, marking the end of foreign domination and the beginning of a more unified Italy. The script mentions 'dopo la terza guerra di indipendenza' indicating the period following this war as a time of significant change.

💡Destra Storica

Destra Storica, or Historical Right, refers to the conservative political faction in Italy that was instrumental in the unification process. The term is used in the script to denote the political power that was in control after the unification, emphasizing their role in the early years of the Kingdom of Italy and their eventual decline as new political forces emerged.

💡Rivoluzione Parlamentare

Rivoluzione Parlamentare, or Parliamentary Revolution, is a term used to describe the political shift in Italy where the traditional left and right factions began to cooperate, leading to the formation of a new government. The script highlights this as a significant event, indicating a change in the political landscape where historical divisions were bridged for the sake of stability and progress.

💡Agostino De Pretis

Agostino De Pretis was a prominent Italian statesman and a member of the Historical Left. In the video, he is mentioned as a key figure who formed a new government after the fall of the Destra Storica, representing a shift in political power and the beginning of a new era in Italian politics.

💡Coppino Law

The Coppino Law, or 'legge Coppino', was a significant educational reform in Italy that made elementary education free and compulsory up to the age of 9. The script discusses this law as part of the broader educational reforms that aimed to modernize Italy and improve the literacy rate, reflecting the government's commitment to social development.

💡Electoral Reform

Electoral Reform in the script refers to changes in the electoral system that expanded the electorate from 2.2% to 6.9% of the population. This reform was part of a broader effort to democratize the political process, as it allowed more citizens to participate in elections, thus reflecting a shift towards a more inclusive political system.

💡Transformismo

Transformismo is a political strategy mentioned in the script where moderates from both the left and right political factions came together to form a centrist bloc. This approach was aimed at isolating more extreme elements in the parliament and consolidating the liberal monarchic state. The term illustrates the fluid nature of Italian politics during this period and the strategic alliances formed to maintain stability.

💡Stefano Jacini

Stefano Jacini was an Italian economist and politician who played a crucial role in shaping economic policies of the time. The script highlights his work on a comprehensive investigation into the economic conditions of Italy, which led to significant policy changes such as the adoption of protectionist measures. Jacini's efforts are presented as instrumental in addressing the economic challenges faced by Italy during this period.

💡Cassa Nazionale di Assicurazione

Cassa Nazionale di Assicurazione, or National Insurance Fund, was established to provide work injury insurance for workers. This initiative is mentioned in the script as part of the first labor reforms in Italy, reflecting the government's response to the growing industrial workforce and the need for social protections.

💡Umbertino Period

The Umbertino Period refers to the reign of King Umberto I and the era of political and economic development that occurred during his rule. The script positions this period as a time when Italy began to assert itself on the European stage, seeking alliances and navigating the complexities of international relations as a unified nation.

Highlights

After the Third War of Independence and the capture of Rome, the Historical Right succeeded in its mission, making Italy more united than before.

The deep scars left by the sacrifices of the wars prompted a need for new forces to guide Italy towards the future.

The 1874 political elections marked the beginning of the end for the Historical Right, with the Left gaining a significant victory in the south.

The country appeared divided, and the Parliament, including the second Minghetti government, was unstable.

The debate over the privatization of railways led to the fall of the Historical Right and the end of Minghetti's government.

Vittorio Emanuele II called upon Agostino De Pretis, a figure from the Historical Left, to form a new government.

De Pretis's government, a union of the two factions, was termed the parliamentary revolution by historians.

The 1876 elections confirmed the trust in De Pretis and the Historical Left with nearly 60% of the votes.

The De Pretis government lasted from 1876 to 1887, with a focus on educational and electoral reforms.

The introduction of a new electoral law in 1882 expanded the suffrage, allowing more people to vote.

The first socialist deputy, Andrea Costa, was elected to the Chamber after the 1882 elections.

The concept of 'transformism' emerged, where moderates from both the left and right united to form a centrist bloc.

The government's immobilism was due to the reliance on shifting majorities and constant negotiations between parties.

The economic difficulties faced by Italy included a lack of energy sources and small to medium-sized businesses.

The 1883 establishment of the National Insurance Fund for Workers' Accidents marked a significant reform in the labor sector.

The 1884 tax reform abolished the hated flour tax and introduced new taxes on consumer goods.

The return to the Gold Standard and the adoption of protectionism in 1887 were economic strategies to support industry.

The Italian economic system began to breathe with the implementation of protective tariffs and fiscal barriers.

Italy's foreign policy involved choosing allies and entering the game of great powers.