History
The Romans
The Greeks came and settled in the eighth and seven century in the southern tip of the Italian peninsula. When the Romans overtook the empire it was split into two halves, the eastern empire lasted for another millennium but the western
empire failed dramatically. The middle Ages and the Renaissance After the 5th century, the peninsula and its islands were subjected to a series of invasions, and Italy became an country of small states, principalities and kingdoms. In the 11th century in spite of the political turmoil the Italian cities enjoyed an era of commercial wealth until the 16th century.
empire failed dramatically. The middle Ages and the Renaissance After the 5th century, the peninsula and its islands were subjected to a series of invasions, and Italy became an country of small states, principalities and kingdoms. In the 11th century in spite of the political turmoil the Italian cities enjoyed an era of commercial wealth until the 16th century.
Foreign domination
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Italian Unification
In the early 19th century there were as series of wars in Italy mostly against Austria-Hungary. As a result, the kingdom of Sardinia got the reunification of the whole of Italy (except for Rome) in the 1860s. In 1861, Victor Emmanuel II of the House of Savoy was proclaimed King of Italy. Rome was included in 1870. From 1861 until 1922, Italy was a monarchy with a parliament elected under limited suffrage.
The World Wars
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Birth of the Republic
Birth of the Italian Republic
In 1946, a referendum (the first case in which women were allowed to vote, in
Italy) ended the monarchy, and a constituent assembly was elected to write a
constitution for the republic. The birth of the Italian Republic was however object of
deep discussion.
In 1946, a referendum (the first case in which women were allowed to vote, in
Italy) ended the monarchy, and a constituent assembly was elected to write a
constitution for the republic. The birth of the Italian Republic was however object of
deep discussion.