GIOLITTI, GIOVANNI. – Statesman, born in Mondovì on 27 October 1842, died at Cavour on 17 July 1928. After pursuing a brilliant administrative career, in 1882 he was appointed Councillor of State and elected deputy for Cuneo. Because of his competence in financial matters, he became Minister of the Treasury under Crispi in 1890, and two years later formed the first of his five governments. Forced to resign because of the Banca romana scandal (1893), he subsequently returned to power in 1903, 1906, and 1911, demonstrating great administrative ability: the country’s industrial progress, the extension of the political franchise, and the beginnings of an enlightened social policy are attributable to him.
Although firmly liberal in his principles, including with regard to the Church and the “Roman question,” he nevertheless endeavoured, especially in the face of the subversive spread of the most extreme social currents, to ease the conflicts with the Holy See and with the powerful Catholic organizations, particularly on the electoral plane; this was evident on the occasion of the general elections of 1913, with the abolition of the non expediti and the Gentiloni pact. G. was also responsible for a new
In 1915 he opposed Italian intervention and advocated direct agreements with Austria (the policy of “a great deal”), as a result of which he lost much of his popularity; but amid the difficulties of the postwar period, Italy welcomed his fifth ministry with enthusiasm (June 1920). In one year of government he concluded the Treaty of Rapallo with Yugoslavia and implemented it by overthrowing the regime established in Fiume by G. d’Annunzio. He sought to oppose the advance of Fascism, of which he remained a determined opponent until his death.