Challenges to the ruling elites: industrialisation and social change; the rise of socialism and new political movements
Rapid industrial growth in early twentieth-century Italy created a large, angry working class. Workers began supporting socialist parties that directly threatened the wealthy landowners and politicians who ran the country.
Real World
The 1904 and 1908 general strikes in Italy paralysed industry and terrified landowners, showing that socialist-organised labour could directly challenge the elite without ever winning a parliamentary majority.
Exam Focus
When assessing challenges to ruling elites, weigh short-term disruption against long-term threat — examiners reward judgements about which challenge was most destabilising.
Essay Framework
Use PEEL to structure every paragraph. Tap each step for guidance and an example.
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