| Early Settlers in Italy | | | | Italy, and this period began to bloom in art and |
| The earliest important settlers in Italy were | | | | culture, thus causing the Italian Renaissance. |
| Etruscans. The Etruscans built settlements in the | | | | Writers such as Aristio, Guicciardini and Machiavelli |
| northern area of Italy before the sixth century | | | | came to surface, and popes supported artists |
| B.C. Rome, known as The Empire, was | | | | such as Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and |
| determined to extend its influence around the | | | | Raphael. |
| world, and thus made the Mediterranean | | | | From the 16th century to the 18th century, the |
| advertisement, using the Mediterranean Sea for | | | | Spanish began to influence Italy more than the |
| trade of food, wood, tin, cotton and silver with | | | | French with Milan, Sicily and Naples being |
| other great nations. | | | | dominated by the Hapsburgs. Smaller states in |
| A Spiral Downward | | | | Italy changed hands frequently, but the large |
| Pressures from without and discord from within | | | | states kept their independence. |
| led to the destruction of the empire by the fifth | | | | Following the Enlightenment of the 18th century, |
| century. The Germans assumed power of Italy, | | | | Hapsburg rule was opposed. In 1861, Victor |
| representing the Eastern Emperor in | | | | Emmanuel II was crowned as the first King of |
| Constantinople. They tried to keep the Roman | | | | Italy, and Florence became the capital. Venice and |
| lifestyle alive, however. After a couple of changes | | | | Rome were not annexed completely until ten |
| in power, Italy became broken up into several | | | | years later. Italy was declared a republic in 1946, |
| states by the late sixth century. | | | | with the Christian Democrat Party (DC) being the |
| Over the next millennium, Italy became a complex | | | | dominant party over the years. |
| land with the Holy Roman Empire and the Papacy | | | | Political and Economical Status of Italy Today |
| taking control in the north and several different | | | | Italy today elects a President for a seven-year |
| groups of people taking over in the south, such as | | | | term. A Prime Minister is appointed by the |
| Muslims, Normans, Bourbons and others. | | | | President, who is usually the leader of the |
| Medieval Period in Italy | | | | dominating party. Since 1945, Italy has grown |
| Charlemagne took control of northern Italy during | | | | rapidly in engineering and manufacturing. |
| the eighth century. Throughout the remainder of | | | | Agriculturally, wheat, tomatoes, sugar beet, |
| the Medieval period, his successors tried to | | | | grapes and maze are key crops in Italy today. |
| recreate imperial power as Rome had with no | | | | Italy is a leading wine producer in the world. Italy |
| success. | | | | also conducts trade with European Union partners |
| Florence, Milan, Genoa and Venice became | | | | as well as other countries such as Saudi Arabia, |
| independent cities during the 11th century. | | | | Libya, Canada, Russian Federation, United States |
| Meanwhile in the South, Muslims took control of | | | | and parts of Latin America. |
| Sicily during the ninth century, and then Normans | | | | Tourism in Italy is strong, and there are many hot |
| took over in 1059, who controlled most of the | | | | tourist areas and cities that thrive on travellers |
| south. | | | | each year. Resorts, museums, restaurants and |
| During the 12th century, Italy became a great | | | | attractions can be found in almost every city and |
| center of culture for Europe while under the rule | | | | along many beaches in Italy. As history has |
| of Roger II. During the 15th century, the popes | | | | shown, Italy's influence in Europe has been |
| had tremendous influence over the diplomacy of | | | | amazing, and remains strong today. |