Table of Contents

1. The geographical determinants of disunity: the vulnerability of a long peninsula; 2. Disunity and conflict: from the Romans to the Renaissance, 400–1494, the Dark Ages, 400–1000; 3. Stagnation and reform, 1494–1789: the invasions of Italy; 4. The emergence of the national question, 1789–1849: the impact of the French Revolution; 5. Italy united; 6. The liberal state and the social question, 1870–1900: the taking of Rome; 7. Giolitti, the First World War, and the rise of Fascism: economic growth and the idealist revolt; 8. Fascism: return to order, 1922–5; 9. The republic: the resistance, 1943–5; Bibliographical essay; Chronology.