1918 Propaganda Booklet w/ Maps Setting the North Italy Border

This is a November 1918 English-language map booklet propagandizing the Italian argument for setting Italy's post-World War I (1914 - 1818) border at the Brenner Pass. This document was issued in anticipation of talks leading to the Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye. The text and the accompanying maps illustrate how, by altering Italy's border to pass through the mountainous Tyrolean highland, the country would be more defensible. These suggestions, correlating to the secret 1915 'Treaty of London', were followed, creating the modern Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol border.

A Closer Look

The booklet consists of 6 text pages in English, 3 charts, and 2 supplementary maps. Although anonymous, the language suggests an Italian author writing for an English-speaking or pan-European audience.

Arguing for the Defense of Italy

The anonymous author argues that, by moving the border to the Brenner Pass, military routes into Italy would be restricted to two mountain passes, making defense more practical. The accompanying maps reinforce this notion, underscoring the 'fact' that Italian forces could be concentrated around Venice to prevent an invasion of the Venetia-Friuli plains. When summarizing their argument, the authors state

Italy has had, up to now, in her flank, the wedge of the Trentino, which for centuries has been the road of foreign raids into our country and an everlasting military threat. From it, in the spring of 1916, the Austrian Army was easily able to strike at the Italian Army, placing in great danger all the further development of the campaign…

Italy's Border and the Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye

At the end of World War I, the Allied Powers gathered in Paris to impose peace treaties on their vanquished foes. The Austrians signed the Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye on September 10, 1919, which significantly reduced the empire. The former Tyrolean crownland (modern-day Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol), was annexed by Italy, thus situating the Austro-Italian border at the Brenner Pass - as suggested in this booklet.

The decision was controversial, as described in a letter by U.S. President Wilson,

Already the president had, unfortunately, promised the Brenner Pass boundary to Orlando, which gave to Italy some 150,000 Tyrolese Germans-an action which he subsequently regarded as a big mistake and deeply regretted. It had been before he had made a careful study of the subject....

To suppress potential rebellion, the territory was initially governed by a strict military regime, but by 1920, governance slackened and South Tyrol was formally integrated into Italy. The system worked well until the rise of Fascism in Italy led to the suppression of Tyrolian-German language, culture, and tradition. In the words of Benito Mussolini, 'If the Germans have to be beaten and stomped to bring them to reason, then so be it, we’re ready.'

Publication History and Census

This booklet was produced anonymously in November 1918, likely for distribution to during the peace talks that ended World War I (1914 - 1818). The booklet is thus well represented in institutional and national collections but having never seen public dissemination is rare on the private market. This is the only known example in private hands.