STUDY QUESTIONS
Modern Italy Handout

1. What was the most powerful nation in Europe in the 16th century that became master of Italy in that century?
2. What other nations ruled in Italy until the War of Independence in 1848?
3. Earlier than 1848 the Italians rebelled against the Austrians who occupied much of the country.  What events in France inspired this rebellion?
4. How does Napoleon figure in Italian political history?
5. Who were the Carbonari and what did they want?  What did the Italians struggle for from about 1815 to 1870?
6. Who were: Giuseppe Garibaldi and Camilio Cavour?  Who was Victor Emmanuel II? What did each contribute to Italy's fight for independence and unification?
7. What role did the Pope play (after 1870) in attempts to liberate and unify the Kingdom of Italy?
8. Italy was closely allied with France but their relationship deteriorated over competition in North Africa.  With whom did Italy become allied as a result?
9. Prior to WWI what drove many Italians to immigrate.  How was (and is) Italy divided according to wealth?
10. With whom was Italy allied when WWI broke out? On which side did Italy enter WWI?  How was Italy wooed to change sides?
11. How did the Italians fare in their battles with the Austrians during WWI?  What was the result?
12. How was Italy treated after the war? Who filled the power vacuum and what form of government was installed?
13. How did the Fascists take over?  What exactly IS Fascism?  When did Mussolini become Prime Minister of Italy?  Who assigned him tot he post?  When did he become dictator?  What was his title?
14. How did Mussolini retain his power over the people?  What did he promise them?  Is he reminiscent of the Roman Emperors we have studied?
15. When was the Spanish Civil War and which countries supported Franco in Spain?
16. Why did Italy enter the Second World War on Germany's side?
17. What country did Mussolini try to conquer on his own and have to be bailed out by the Germans?
18. How did Il Duce have his powers taken away from him?  When?  How did the Germans rescue Mussolini?
19. What finally happened to Mussolini?  When?  Where?
20. Today Italy has a coalition government.  What parties participate in the coalition? What is one of the most influential political parties in Italy today?
21. What was the mainstay of the Italian economy after WW II, responsible for an economic boom, especially in the north?
22. Since the 1970s, Italy has been plagued with terrorism conducted by extremists seeking to rectify certain social ills the country suffers from.  Who are the Red Brigade, and what are some of their acts of terrorism?  Last week, by the way, a government minister in northern Italy was assassinated by the second generation of the Red Brigade.
23. What other notorious crime was attempted in Rome 21 years ago?
24.  How does the Italy you have just read about compare with the Roman Republic and Empire, and the Italy of the Renaissance in Rome, Siena, Venice, and Florence?