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Journals / Kayseri Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 8 Sayı: 1

The Italy paradox in World War I, once an ally, now an enemy (April-May 1915)

Bir zamanlar müttefik, artık düşman olarak I. Dünya Savaşı’nda İtalya paradoksu (Nisan-Mayıs 1915)

Senem Gönenç(İSTANBUL ÜNİVERSİTESİ - CERRAHPAŞA)0000-0002-3267-7580
Pages
439–467
Publication Date
2026-06-30
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

The ramifications of Italy’s decision were far-reaching, giving rise to profound shifts in both domestic politics and international relations.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:Italy, a member of the Triple Alliance at the beginning of World War I, initially declared neutrality at the war’s onset.
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Key Findings & Data:However, it subsequently sided against its former allies by signing the Treaty of London (1915) and declared war against the Austro-Hungarian Empire on 23 May 1915.
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Conclusion & Impact:The ramifications of Italy’s decision were far-reaching, giving rise to profound shifts in both domestic politics and international relations.
🔬Design:Derleme
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:İtalya · Üçlü İttifak · Üçlü İtilaf

Abstract

Italy, a member of the Triple Alliance at the beginning of World War I, initially declared neutrality at the war’s onset. However, it subsequently sided against its former allies by signing the Treaty of London (1915) and declared war against the Austro-Hungarian Empire on 23 May 1915. This prompts a rather paradoxical question for understanding Italy’s position and decision-making processes in international relations: Did Italy act in a manner that could be perceived as betraying its former allies, or was its actions driven by a pursuit of its own national interests? This historical research study will analyse the conditions that led Italy to fight on the side of the Triple Entente, the process of Italy’s decision to leave the Triple Alliance, the attitudes of Italian, German and Austrian statesmen, and the reactions of the public. The study’s findings suggest that Italy’s decision to depart from the Triple Alliance was the result of a multifaceted process. The decision was influenced by numerous factors, including Italian nationalism, the desire to gain territory, the promises made by the Entente, and the historical enmity with Austria-Hungary. The ramifications of Italy’s decision were far-reaching, giving rise to profound shifts in both domestic politics and international relations.

Özet

I. Dünya Savaşı’nın başlangıcında Üçlü İttifak’ın bir üyesi olan İtalya, savaşın başında tarafsızlık ilan etmiş, ancak daha sonra Londra Antlaşması’nı (1915) imzalayarak eski müttefiklerine karşı saf tutmuş ve 23 Mayıs 1915’te Avusturya-Macaristan İmparatorluğu’na savaş ilan etmiştir. Bu durum, İtalya’nın uluslararası ilişkilerdeki konumunu ve karar alma süreçlerini anlamak açısından oldukça paradoksal bir soruyu gündeme getirmektedir: İtalya, eski müttefiklerine ihanet mi etmiş yoksa ulusal çıkarlarını mı gözetmiştir? Bu tarihsel araştırmada hangi koşulların İtalya’yı Üçlü İtilaf saflarında savaşmaya ittiği, İtalya’nın Üçlü İttifak’tan ayrılma kararını alma süreci, buna ilişkin İtalyan, Alman ve Avusturyalı devlet adamlarının tutumları ile halkın tepkileri ele alınmıştır. Araştırmanın sonuçları İtalya’nın Üçlü İttifak’ı terk etme kararının karmaşık bir sürecin neticesi olduğuna işaret etmektedir. İtalyan milliyetçiliği, İtalya’nın toprak kazanma arzusu, İtilaf Devletleri tarafından edilen vaatler ve Avusturya-Macaristan ile olan tarihsel husumet gibi birçok faktör bu kararı etkilemiştir. İtalya’nın bu kararı ise hem iç politikada hem de uluslararası ilişkilerde önemli değişimlere yol açmıştır.

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Cite This Article

Gönenç, S. (2026). The Italy paradox in World War I, once an ally, now an enemy (April-May 1915). Kayseri Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, Cilt: 8 Sayı: 1, 439–467. https://doi.org/10.51177/kayusosder.1762155

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