Synopses & Reviews
Since its creation in 1861, Italy has struggled to develop an effective political system and a secure sense of national identity. This concise history covers the period from the fall of the Roman Empire in the west to the present day, but focuses on the difficulties Italy has faced in forging a nation state during the past two centuries. The opening chapters consider the geographical and cultural obstacles to unity, and survey the long centuries of political fragmentation in the peninsula since the sixth century. It was this legacy of fragmentation that Italy's new rulers had to strive to overcome when the country became united, more by accident than design, in 1859-61.
Review
"A Concise History History of Italy will provide a sensible background for understanding how and why things happened as they did as well as explain why governing just seems so difficult in Italy today. Aside from a pleasant writing style, the book is enhanced with six clear maps, twelve tables, and forty illustrations. There is a selected bibliography and fifteen page index." Joanne M. Perry, Bulletin No. 187
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. 285-305) and index.
Table of Contents
List of illustrations; List of tables; Preface; Introduction; 1. The geographical determinants of disunity; 2. Disunity and conflict: from the Romans to the renaissance, 400 1849; 3. Stagnation and reform, 1494 1789; 4. The emergence of the national question, 1789 1849; 5. Italy united; 6. The liberal state and the social question, 1870 1900; 7. Giolitti, the first world war, and the rise of fascism; 8. Fascism; 9. The republic; Select bibliography; Index.