ABSTRACT
Italy's entry into the war was essentially the work of two men, Antonio Salandra and Sidney Sonnino. The army's general staff was not informed about what was going on: in August 1914 Italy declared her neutrality just as the generals were preparing mobilization, and in April 1915 Italy signed the Treaty of London just when the generals were beginning to think the war might be a long one after all. As a member of Triple Alliance, Italy was pledged to stay neutral if an ally declared war on another country. There were, in fact, many reasons for caution. Thus many socialist leaders and institutions did little to oppose the war, and much to support it. The war gave the Nationalists deeper local roots and greater local support, and it made them even more paranoid. They had won the war, and did not intend to let anyone forget it. This was the people that had to deal with Italy's post-war crisis.
