irredentism

irredentism , originally, the Italian nationalist movement for the annexation to Italy of territories— Italia irredenta [unredeemed Italy]—inhabited by an Italian majority but retained by Austria after 1866. These included the Trentino, Trieste, Istria, Fiume, and parts of Dalmatia. Agitation took place both inside Austria-Hungary and in Italy itself. The liberation of Italia irredenta was perhaps the strongest motive for the entry of Italy into World War I. The Treaty of Versailles (1919) satisfied most of the irredentist claims. The term irredentism has, by extension, been applied to nationalist agitation in other countries, based on historical, ethnic, and geographical reasons, for the incorporation of territories under foreign rule. Irredentism is thus closely connected with nationalism and with minority problems.

irredentism Derived from the slogan ‘Italia irredenta’ (Unredeemed Italy), it demanded the incorporation into the recently unified Italian state of all Italian-speaking areas which had remained under Austrian control after the 1866 Austro-Italian War, most notably Trieste, the Istrian Peninsula, and the Trentino. It became an important issue not only for Austro-Italian relations up to and during World War I, but also for Italian nationalism which was growing from 1900. The strength of irredentism ultimately made it very difficult for Italy to enter World War I on the side of Germany and Austria, and thus prejudged the country's entry into the war in 1915. After the war, these lands were handed over to Italy (with the significant exception of Fiume), including the predominantly German-speaking South Tirol (Alto Adige).

Irredentism (derived from Italia irredenta, Italian, “unredeemed Italy”) An Italian patriotic movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its members aimed at liberating all lands, mainly in the Alps and on the Adriatic, inhabited by Italians and still held by the Austro-Hungarian empire after 1866. Its activities were restrained when the Italian government entered into the TRIPLE ALLIANCE with the Austro-Hungarian empire and Germany in 1882, but the movement headed the campaign for Italy's intervention in World War I in 1915. The Settlement of VERSAILLES satisfied most of its claims.