1. Agostino Depretis

2. Background Information Agostino Depretis was born on January 31, 1813 and died on July 29, 1887 The diverse and unstable parties and factions in early Italian national politics made strict party government almost impossible. In response to this problem, Depretis perfected the art of trasformismo (“transformism”), by which, in order to build up his own personal following in parliament, he ignored party labels and took ministers from both the right and left. A prime minister could stay in office longer by means of the shifting government coalitions thus createdunder Depretis this practice became the established technique of Italian parliamentarism.

3. Dates he was Leader He was the Prime Minister of Italy three times, from March 25, 1876 – March 24, 1878, then December 19, 1878 – July 14, 1879, and May 29, 1881 – July 29, 1887. He belonged to the Historical Left A scandal in March 1878 brought down his government before his moderately liberal reforms could be introduced. Returning to power in December 1878, he formed a more conservative government that lasted eight months.

4. Key events Triple alliance between Germany, Austria and Hungary When 500 Italian troops were killed by Ethiopians at the Battle of Dogali in January 1887, his government resigned. In April Depretis was again chosen as prime minister, but he died in office a few months later. The diverse and unstable parties and factions in early Italian national politics made strict party government almost impossible. In response to this problem, Depretis perfected the art of trasformismo (“transformism”), by which, in order to build up his own personal following in parliament, he ignored party labels and took ministers from both the right and left. A prime minister could stay in office longer by means of the shifting government coalitions thus created. Cavour had done much the same thing as Italy’s first prime minister, but under Depretis this practice became the established technique of Italian parliamentarism.

5. Strengths of their tenure The major reform achieved by his government was the extension of suffrage from 2 percent to 7 percent of the population (1882). In 1882 Depretis signed the Triple Alliance, which allied Italy with Austria–Hungary and Germany. Abolished the grist tax Completed the railway system, increased from 2,700 km in 1861 to 12,000 km in the late '80s 1887 - The approval in Parliament of new customs tariffs this protectionist measure of Depretis, who was presented as a measure of adaptation to the climate of international competition, the effect caused an increase in the process of industrialization in the North, particularly the textile and steel industries.

6. Weaknesses of their tenure Italy gained an empty promise of German support of Italian colonial ambitions in North Africa in return for Italy’s continued friendship from the Triple Alliance. He was then persuaded to colonize Africa. When 500 Italian troops were killed by Ethiopians at the Battle of Dogali in January 1887, his government resigned. In April Depretis was again chosen as prime minister, but he died in office a few months later. Vastly increased indirect taxation Corrupted and destroyed the fibre of parliamentary parties By extravagance in public works, impaired the stability of Italian finance.