The Indo-Europeans began migrating around the time of 2000 BC and continued till about 1000 BC. It was then overthrown by the Romans in the 3rd century, making the Etruscan civilization a dominant one. All Italy south of Cisalpine Gaul was under full leadership of the Romans by 264 BC and remained in power for the next seven centuries. Making the history of Italy, also the history of Rome.
The Italian peninsula in 800 BC was starting to be grasped at for power by Catholic Popes, Roman Emperors, Normans and Saracens. Regardless of Italy's political fragmentation, from the 13th century to the 16th, it became the cultural center of the western world. Italian Wars took place in the years of 1494–1559. These regional wars were specifically to protect European power and small independent states in the nation. Renaissance Italy was split into several rival states, most of which sought to increase their power individually. The wars began in 1494 when Charles VIII invaded Italy and took over Naples in which he was later forced to retreat. In 1499, Louis XII, occupied Milan and Genoa to gain Naples. He was later forced to consent to the Treaties of Blois in 1504 to pledge Naples to Spain. The rivalry between Francis I and Charles V opened warfare once again in 1521. Francis I was later forced to sign the Treaty of Madrid and formed the League of Cognac. The war ended in 1529 with the Treaty of Cambria. Having renounced Naples in the Treaty of Crepy, Francis died in 1547. Complete Spanish supremacy in Italy was then earned by the Treaty of Cateau-Cambrésis in 1559. |
Unified PeninsulaAfter 1800, Italy was unified by Napoleon who later crowned himself king of Italy in 1805. However, due to the Congress of Vienna, Austria still dominated. The annexation of Venitia and of papal Rome in the late 1860's, was final declaration of unification for Italy under constitutional monarchy.
. Silvio Berlusconii, pledged to reduce unemployment, taxes, and reform bureaucracy. In May 2008, Berlusconi was sworn in to his third term as Prime Minister. Two months later, a bill was approved that grants immunity to the four most powerful elected officials including the Prime Minister.
Matteo RenziIn November of 2013, Silvio Berlusconi was taken from his Senate position due to legal troubles. The democratic party gained another leader, Matteo Renzi. Renzi's center-left democrats backed the Prime Minister and his democrats on in a Senate confidence vote on December 11th, 2013.
|
MussoliniMussolini transformed Italy into a dictatorship shortly after becoming the Prime Minister. Although, when the Allies invaded Italy in 1943, the dictatorship collapsed and Mussolini was executed. The peace treaty of 1947 required renunciation of all claims in Ethiopia and Greece.
Italy was declared officially in recession by November 2008. An earthquake hit Italy in April of 2009 killing 275 people and leaving 28,000 homeless. In 2011, the countries borrowing cost rose to 5.7% which has impeded Italy's ability to reduce its debt. By the summer of 2011, Italy was using up to 16% of its budget and interest payments.
Goodbye BerlusconiRenzi soon became prime minister on February 22nd, 2014. For the first time in Italian cabinet history, there are more women than men. In the spring of 2014, former prime minister Berlusconi, was sentenced to one year of community service because of tax fraud. Due to this case, Berlusconi will remain ineligible to run for public office.
|
Stabilizing EconomyItaly became a member of the NATO after WWI. IN 1980's and 1990's, the Italian politics was characterized as he "Revolving Door" government, politically unstable, scandal and corruption. Carlo Ciampi was declared president in 1999, which is the same year that Italy developed the euro as there currency.
Mario Monti, an economist for the European Commission took over after Berlusconi stepped down. Monti pushed through reform measures which resulting in raising the retirement age, increasing taxes and overhauling government agencies. His reforms helped to re-stabilize the economy, however he resigned in December 2012 after losing support of People Of Freedom Party.
Sargio MarttarellaParliament elected Sargio Marttarella for president on February 3rd, 2015. He is the first native of Sicily to become a president of Italy. He previously was a Minister of Education, Defense and judge on the Constitutional Court.
|