Sir_roger_rabbit t1_j271cym wrote on December 30, 2022 at 2:47 AM

I think what a lot of people are forgetting or ignoring is the Italian people's strong sentiment to fight Austria its long term enemy at the time.

And the political factions in the country.

Even if they stayed neutral I don't think it would have lasted as government would have collapsed or had a coup (what I bet the allied powers would have backed)

Neutrality was just not a option.

Nodeo-Franvier t1_j2756pf wrote on December 30, 2022 at 3:15 AM

The majority of the population didn't want war though, It just some nationalist group that were really loud.

Sir_roger_rabbit t1_j27hpyq wrote on December 30, 2022 at 4:56 AM

Annexing territory along the two countries’ frontier stretching from the Trentino region in the Alps eastward to Trieste at the northern end of the Adriatic Sea was a primary goal and would “liberate” Italian speaking populations from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, while uniting them with their cultural homeland.

You got to also remember that the Austrians occupied/had a great deal of influence in northern Italy since the end of the napoleon wars.

The anti Austrian feelings war strong and the chance to "librate Italians" as they put it is the other factor.

Throw in competing claims on the alpine border with both country's.

As I said before.. Even if they did have government who said we aren't taking part... That said government would have not enough support to survive.

Hey the fact Italy did actually go to war with the central powers and not stay neutral backs this case even more.

Nodeo-Franvier t1_j27o1zy wrote on December 30, 2022 at 5:56 AM

You forgot the fact that Italy was offered one of the irredenta provice for neutrality,The government have any number of ways to spin it as diplomatic victory(Which it is). The economic rich that flow in would satisfy the population too.

Sir_roger_rabbit t1_j27pkso wrote on December 30, 2022 at 6:13 AM

And yet they whent to war with the public support.

History tells us if the people do not support a devastating war you won't be in power long.

Just look east at the time.

Nodeo-Franvier t1_j27syi2 wrote on December 30, 2022 at 6:50 AM

Believe it or not the war was immensely popular in Russia(at least in 1914),So much so that a commentator said that the Tsar is once again master of his people body and soul or something. The Italian government have additional causes to be fear too,The Libyan war of 1912 despite only token Ottoman resistance undo 50 years! of fiscal prudence and badly deplete their manpower and equipment!.In truth the public got little to do with the decision to enter the war anyway it was the King and his foreign minister sidelining the parliament.