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Italy declined after the 16th century, and the Renaissance had strengthened the idea of a single Italian nationality. By the early 19th century, a nationalist movement developed and led to the reunification of Italy (except for Rome ) in the 1860s.
In 1861, Victor Emmanuel II of the House of Savoy was proclaimed King of Italy. From 1870 until 1922, Italy was a constitutional monarchy with a parliament elected under limited suffrage.
20th-Century History
Italy allied with Germany and declared war on the United Kingdom and France in 1940. In 1941, Italy declared war on the United States and the Soviet Union. Following the invasion of Sicily in 1943, the King dismissed Mussolini and appointed Marshal Pietro Badoglio as Premier.
The Badoglio government declared war on Germany, which quickly occupied most of the country.
Under the 1947 peace treaty, Italy also relinquished its overseas territories and certain Mediterranean islands.
The Roman Catholic Church's status in Italy has been determined, since its temporal powers ended in 1870. Under the Lateran Pacts of 1929, which were confirmed by the present constitution, the state of Vatican City is recognized by Italy as an independent, sovereign entity. While preserving that recognition, in 1984, Italy and the Vatican updated several provisions of the 1929 accords. Included was the end of Roman Catholicism as Italy's formal state religion.
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In Italy, conversation is an art form. Walk along the open cafes in nearly any town in Italy and you'll observe groups engaged in intense, animated discussions on a wide variety of topics.
Art is a big part of Italian culture, and not only visible in its museums. Colorful streets are lined with buildings of every shape, size, and color - often charactorized by huge arches and columns. Decorative windows, steps, and fountains are testimate to a wide variety of styles and tastes.
As in many countries, dancing is an important component of Italian culture.
One such dance, the Tarantella, originated in the Middle Ages, and is said to be probably the most recognized song of all the Italian folklore music. It literally means "tarantula" and dancers rotate clockwise in a large circle. When the music in the set changes, and it becomes faster, the dancers quickly change the direction to counterclockwise.
Football is a passion in Italy - claiming a professional soccer team in every major city! The most popular and skilled players are often national "heros." On Sundays, the stadiums are packed with fans.
Italian fashion, of course, is world-renown. Dressing is a matter of status, and demonstrates mature, sophisticated elegance. Gucci, Valentino, Ungaro, Versace and Armani are just a few of the couture heavyweights whose inspirations fill boutiques from Milan to Rome. Italian leather is highly prized for its quality and shoppers enjoy stocking up on fine designer purses, gloves, belts, jackets and shoes. This enviable sense of style also spills over into the realms of Italian home furnishings and architecture.
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