The manual presents the history of Italy in the 20th century. The patterns of domestic and foreign political development of the state, the evolution of political parties are traced. An overview of the socio-economic and cultural life of the country is given.

The manual was created on the basis of a wide range of sources, taking into account the latest theoretical and methodological research in the field of modern history. The book provides physical and political-administrative maps of Italy, provides information about regions and provinces, as well as a brief chronology.

For students of history departments of universities, pedagogical universities and institutes of foreign languages, where courses in the history of foreign countries are studied, as well as for students of colleges, lyceums and gymnasiums of the humanities as a textbook on regional studies.

Contents: Preface Introduction Beyond the threshold of the new century Change of internal political course (“liberal era” by G. Giolitti) The process of formation of political parties Culture and intellectual life. “The Age of Magazines” On the eve of the “Great War” Italy and the First World War Neutrality or joining the Entente? Italy in the war The collapse of the liberal state The results of the war and the crisis of the Italian political system “Red Biennial” Fascist movement: ideology and mass base The coming of fascism to power The initial period of the dominance of fascism The first steps towards fascism of the stateFascism and the stabilization of capitalismFascism and the anti-fascist opposition during the “Matteotti crisis” Counter-offensive of fascismThe policy of fascism in the sphere of culture. The intelligentsia and the fascist regime in the 20s. Construction of the totalitarian systemsItaly and the “great crisis.” Anti-crisis strategy of fascismTransition to an aggressive foreign policy and militarization of economic lifeItalian fascism is a totalitarian dictatorshipResistance to fascismWorld War II and the end of Italian fascismItaly is a “non-combatant side”War on the side of GermanyWar and anti-fascist forces. Coup of July 25, 1943Mussolini removed - what next?Anti-fascist ResistanceItalian transition to democracyTowards the Constituent AssemblyResults of the elections and referendum of June 2, 1946 From the Albertine Statute to the new ConstitutionThe breakdown of anti-fascist unity and the establishment of the political dominance of the Christian Democratic PartyThe politics of the Christian Democratic Party after the abandonment of anti-fascist unity. CentrismLiberation of Italy from fascism and new trends in Italian cultureNeocapitalism in ItalianItalian “economic miracle”Political parties in search of a new strategyTransition to the center-left. Center-left politics in action “We want to be taken into account!” Italy of the 70s: zigzags of political developmentThe decline of center-leftism. The Republic is in danger The problem of “historical compromise” in the PCI strategy The policy of “national solidarity” Changes in the balance of power of political parties Towards the third millennium Economic, social and socio-psychological changes in Italy in the 70s and 80s Intellectual atmosphere Neoconservatism. Five-party coalition in powerCrisis of the party-political system of the republicItaly at the end of the 20th centuryConclusionRecommended readingAppendixBrief chronologyConventional abbreviationsIndex of names