GIOVANNI GIOLITTI. — Statesman, born in Mondovì on 27 Oct. 1842, died in Cavour on 17 July 1928. After a brilliant administrative career, in 1882 he was appointed Councillor of State and elected deputy for Cuneo. Owing to his expertise in financial matters, he served as Minister of the Treasury under Crispi in 1890 and two years later formed the first of his five ministries. Forced to resign due to the Banca Romana scandal (1893), he subsequently returned to power in 1903, 1906, and 1911, demonstrating great administrative ability: to him are owed the country’s industrial progress, the expansion of political suffrage, and the beginning of enlightened social policy.
Though firmly liberal in his principles, even regarding the Church and the “Roman Question,” he nevertheless strove—especially in the face of the subversive spread of extreme social currents—to soften conflicts with the Holy See and with Catholic organizations, particularly on the electoral front. This was evident during the general elections of 1913, with the abolition of the *non expedit* and the Gentiloni Pact. Giolitti also gave new direction to foreign policy, aiming to enhance Italy’s international prestige: it was he who led the victorious Libyan War of 1911–12.
In 1915 he opposed Italy’s intervention and advocated direct negotiations with Austria (the “peace policy”), for which he lost much of his popularity. Yet in the difficulties of the post-war period, Italy enthusiastically welcomed his fifth ministry (June 1920). In a long-lasting government, he implemented the Treaty of Rapallo with Yugoslavia and enforced it by dismantling the regime established in Fiume by G. d’Annunzio. He sought to resist the advance of Fascism, remaining a steadfast opponent until his death.