The Second Republic (1992-present)
Bettino Craxi was the leader of the Italian socialist party. During 1992-1997 Italy faced many changes as voters tired of corruption, crime and the politicians in the past, demanded political and economic reforms.
In 1994, Silvio Berlusconi became prime minister. However, he was forced to step down in December of 1994.
In April 1996, Romano Prodi won the elections. His first government was the third-longest to stay in power before he lost a couple of votes in October 1998.
The new government was formed by Massimo D´Alema (communist and leader of democrats of the left). He resigned in 2000 due to a poor performance in regional elections. In 2006, Mr. Prodi won the election with a slim majority.
jueves, 21 de junio de 2007
The Italian Unification
In 18th century, liberal ideas spread trough out Italy. There were some obstacles to unify Italy: the Austrian occupation, sovereignty of the pope, and the existence of already independent states.
Giuseppe Mazzini spread the revolutionary idea. The Papal States, Lucca, Tuscany, and Sardinia tried to abolish these movements.
The first revolution took place in Sicily. The king of Sardinia sent his army to Lombardy when the pope Pius IX had to escape from Rome and the republic was proclaimed.
Giuseppe Garibaldi led the revolution but couldn’t stop the destruction of Rome by the French (1849).
Camillo di Cavour, prime minister of Sardinia, persuaded napoleon to plan a war against Austria (1852). The Piedmontese battled Austria, and won with French help.
The Austrians gave Lombardy to Napoleon II, which later transferred it to Victor Emmanuel (1859). In the elections of 1860 all northern states, but Venetia joined Sardinia.
After the defeat of Austria by the Prussian, Venice was given back to Italy, for its help. In 1870 French troops withdrew from Rome, and the Italian troops moved into it. Rome voted for its union to Italy in 1870; and in 1871 it became the capital of the country.
Giuseppe Mazzini spread the revolutionary idea. The Papal States, Lucca, Tuscany, and Sardinia tried to abolish these movements.
The first revolution took place in Sicily. The king of Sardinia sent his army to Lombardy when the pope Pius IX had to escape from Rome and the republic was proclaimed.
Giuseppe Garibaldi led the revolution but couldn’t stop the destruction of Rome by the French (1849).
Camillo di Cavour, prime minister of Sardinia, persuaded napoleon to plan a war against Austria (1852). The Piedmontese battled Austria, and won with French help.
The Austrians gave Lombardy to Napoleon II, which later transferred it to Victor Emmanuel (1859). In the elections of 1860 all northern states, but Venetia joined Sardinia.
After the defeat of Austria by the Prussian, Venice was given back to Italy, for its help. In 1870 French troops withdrew from Rome, and the Italian troops moved into it. Rome voted for its union to Italy in 1870; and in 1871 it became the capital of the country.
The painting in the Italian Renaissance
The Painting in the Italian Renaissance
During the 14th century, the Italian became interested in the classic world. The number of painters increased.
They studied the human body closely. The anatomy became the most important part of painting.
All around Italy groups of painters started to appear, especially in Florence and Milan.
The societies now were interested in the arts and the culture. The mecenas protected and sponsored the arts. The techniques started to be perfection. The oil appeared and it was very used among artists.
Leonardo Da Vinci (1452-1519) was the most famous artist in the renaissance because of his painting La Giaconda (1505).
During the 14th century, the Italian became interested in the classic world. The number of painters increased.
They studied the human body closely. The anatomy became the most important part of painting.
All around Italy groups of painters started to appear, especially in Florence and Milan.
The societies now were interested in the arts and the culture. The mecenas protected and sponsored the arts. The techniques started to be perfection. The oil appeared and it was very used among artists.
Leonardo Da Vinci (1452-1519) was the most famous artist in the renaissance because of his painting La Giaconda (1505).
Another famous artist was Michel Angelo (1475-1564). He is recognized by the ceiling of the Sixtine chapel.
The painters rescued the classic virtues, of beauty, power and paganism. Their paintings were loaded with mystery and secret meanings.
Who were the Medicis?
Who were the Medicis?
Averardo (Bicci) de Medici, originated the Medici dynasty. Averardos´ son, Giovanni di Bicci , created the Medici bank. This bank increased the wealth of the family and Giovanni became one of the richest men in the city. He supported the introduction of a proportional taxing system.
When in 1434 Cosmo the elder (Giovanni’s son) took over, the Medicis family became unofficial heads of the state of Florence Republic. The Medicis formed such a big business, that at least half of Florence’s people worked for them.
The Medicis remained in control of Italy through their two famous popes, Leox and Clement VII. Even though they supported religion they couldn’t keep up with Luther’s ideas.
The Medici family was big supporters of art and architecture. They were responsible for the majority of Florentine art. They afforded life of Galileo, who tutored multiple generations of Medici children. They also sponsored Michel Angelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael and Masaccio’s.
Averardo (Bicci) de Medici, originated the Medici dynasty. Averardos´ son, Giovanni di Bicci , created the Medici bank. This bank increased the wealth of the family and Giovanni became one of the richest men in the city. He supported the introduction of a proportional taxing system.
When in 1434 Cosmo the elder (Giovanni’s son) took over, the Medicis family became unofficial heads of the state of Florence Republic. The Medicis formed such a big business, that at least half of Florence’s people worked for them.
The Medicis remained in control of Italy through their two famous popes, Leox and Clement VII. Even though they supported religion they couldn’t keep up with Luther’s ideas.
The Medici family was big supporters of art and architecture. They were responsible for the majority of Florentine art. They afforded life of Galileo, who tutored multiple generations of Medici children. They also sponsored Michel Angelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael and Masaccio’s.
Gothic War
Gothic War
First Campaign
The cause of the war was the assassination of Amalasuintha, Theodoric’s heiress. Justinian used the war as a pretext to invade Italy. He named Belisarius general for the war.
Belisarius faced the gothic siege (537-38). In 540 the frank intervened sacking Milan. He attacked Ravenna, the Ostrogoth capital, where Witiges was captured. Then, the Goths offered him to be the western emperor, but he refused.
Second Campaign
In 541 the ostrogoths named Totila as their new leader. He started a successful campaign against the east Romans, invading northern Italy (547-49). Belisarius returned to Italy (544) and tried to recover Rome, but he failed because Justinian denied help.
In 548 Justinian withdrew Belisarius and named Narses, who achieved a successful campaign.
Third Campaign
In this period Rome was invaded by Totila, who had offer peace to Justinian, who rejected it.
Germanus Justinus, Justinian’s nephew organizated a new campaign. He died in 551, and Narses took on Totila and killed him. In October 553 Narses defeated the last remnants of the gothic army.
Overall Outcome
The Pyrrhic victory destroyed Italy. The economy was going through a critical situation. The great cities were abandoned. Then Italy was invaded by the Lombards.
First Campaign
The cause of the war was the assassination of Amalasuintha, Theodoric’s heiress. Justinian used the war as a pretext to invade Italy. He named Belisarius general for the war.
Belisarius faced the gothic siege (537-38). In 540 the frank intervened sacking Milan. He attacked Ravenna, the Ostrogoth capital, where Witiges was captured. Then, the Goths offered him to be the western emperor, but he refused.
Second Campaign
In 541 the ostrogoths named Totila as their new leader. He started a successful campaign against the east Romans, invading northern Italy (547-49). Belisarius returned to Italy (544) and tried to recover Rome, but he failed because Justinian denied help.
In 548 Justinian withdrew Belisarius and named Narses, who achieved a successful campaign.
Third Campaign
In this period Rome was invaded by Totila, who had offer peace to Justinian, who rejected it.
Germanus Justinus, Justinian’s nephew organizated a new campaign. He died in 551, and Narses took on Totila and killed him. In October 553 Narses defeated the last remnants of the gothic army.
Overall Outcome
The Pyrrhic victory destroyed Italy. The economy was going through a critical situation. The great cities were abandoned. Then Italy was invaded by the Lombards.
Middle Ages
Middle Ages (general information)
The history of Italy in the middle ages was turmoil because the Ostrogoth’s invasion led to the gothic war. This war destroyed Italy and, at the end, the Lombards took control.
Constantinople helped the popes protect Rome from the Lombards, letting the popes create the Papal States.
In the ages of Charlemagne the southern cities economy started to improve. (Trading increased)
The beginning of the Renaissance turned the Italian cities into places of culture and knowledge. They also expanded and grew in power.
The Italian Renaissance began in Tuscany, and then it spread south. During this period several families ruled the cities (Sforza, Mecidis, Albizzi, etc.) and transformed the still medieval cities into modern places.
In 1378 the papacy returned to Rome.
Foreign invasions of Italy (Italian Wars) continued for several decades, for example the French invasion in 1494.
The history of Italy in the middle ages was turmoil because the Ostrogoth’s invasion led to the gothic war. This war destroyed Italy and, at the end, the Lombards took control.
Constantinople helped the popes protect Rome from the Lombards, letting the popes create the Papal States.
In the ages of Charlemagne the southern cities economy started to improve. (Trading increased)
The beginning of the Renaissance turned the Italian cities into places of culture and knowledge. They also expanded and grew in power.
The Italian Renaissance began in Tuscany, and then it spread south. During this period several families ruled the cities (Sforza, Mecidis, Albizzi, etc.) and transformed the still medieval cities into modern places.
In 1378 the papacy returned to Rome.
Foreign invasions of Italy (Italian Wars) continued for several decades, for example the French invasion in 1494.
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