Abstract
Autore:
Varsori Antonio
Titolo:
"La dimensione internazionale della transizione postbellica in Italia (1943-1949)"
The article aims at analysing
the process through which Italy’s political
and diplomatic decision-makers faced the
difficult task of creating a new international
role for the nation after the fall of Mussolini
and the restoration of a democratic regime.
In the introduction the author discusses the
interpretations offered by both Italian and
foreign historians since the 1970s and points
out the most recent results, based on a thorough
reassessment of previous evaluations
and several archival source as well. In the
first paragraph the author deals with the period
from the fall of Mussolini in 1943 till
the end of the war, which was characterised
by the contrasting relationship between the
Allies and the emerging Italian anti-Fascist
leadership. In this connection he argues that
military aspects played a leading role in shaping
Anglo-American policies towards the
peninsula. In the second paragraph the author
analyses the strenuous efforts by Italian politicians
and diplomats to avoid the consequences
of what was perceived as a punitive
peace. Such a policy, however, was closely
tied to the past and the results were scant; but
the emerging cold war was destined to have
a strong influence on Italy’s foreign policy.
In the third paragraph the author’s analysis
focuses on the vital decisions by the Italian
authorities which led to Italy’s “western
choice”, a process which was characterised
by severe contradictions and major obstacles.
In spite of these difficulties Italy was able to
become a full member of both the Western
system and the Western European system, so
opening a new phase in Italy’s position in the
post-war international system.
