La SINISTRA STORICA di Agostino DEPRETIS (1876-1887)

Summary

Following 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.