Italy 1832–1969: British Foreign Office Confidential Print Coming Soon Overview

Few European countries have experienced as much upheaval and transformation in the last two centuries as Italy. Throughout this period, Britain’s fate has often been entangled with Italy’s in complex ways—as allies, rivals, and outright enemies. This collection comprises 47 items, including diplomatic correspondence and reports, amounting to a total of approximately 14,000 pages. It offers unrivalled insights into the numerous changes and reconfigurations which Italy experienced in this period. 

Topics covered include the revolutionary activity of 1848, the unification campaigns of the 1850s and 1860s (and Britain’s role therein), the emergence of Italian fascism and the establishment of Mussolini’s dictatorship, as well as the role of Italy in the two world wars. Reports from British envoys to the Holy See also document key developments within the organisation and outlook of the Roman Catholic Church throughout this tumultuous era. This collection will appeal to those interested in the history of Italy, modern political and religious thought, war and diplomacy, as well as economics, international relations, and political science.