Students traveling abroad to study in Italy probably know a thing or two about the history of Ancient Rome. Major events like the assassination of Julius Caesar and the fall of the Roman Empire are pivotal moments, not only in Rome’s history, but the history of Western civilization as we know it.
On the other hand, some students may be surprised to learn that Italy is a young country. Key events in the 19th and 20th centuries formed the political borders, social attitudes, and government that shaped the country. During a study abroad program in Italy, students will be able to learn about this rich history every day, experiencing firsthand how these developments have shaped the country over time.
Read on to find out more about some of the major historical events in Italian history you could learn about during your stay in Rome.
The Italian revolution of 1848 was born in Rome, where liberal thinkers and intellectuals rallied to eradicate foreign Austrian rule over the Italian states. After ruler Pope Pius IX abandoned the war against Austria, Italian revolutionaries overthrew his administration and declared a new Roman Republic. This victory was short lived, however, as the French eventually helped the Austrians defeat the Roman Republic, and Italy once again found itself under foreign rule—which led British historian G. M. Trevelyan to famously describe the revolutions of 1848 as “the turning-point at which modern history failed to turn.”
Italy was once composed of several states, ruled by various European powers. The Italian unification or Risorgimento picked up where the 1848 revolutions left off, led by political figures Giuseppe Mazzini and Giuseppe Garibaldi. After a two-year offensive, which resulted in the liberation of several Italian states, Garibaldi clashed with fellow unifier Cavour, and eventually handed over his free states in the name of unification. In 1861, Italy was finally declared a nation-state under the ruler Victor Emmanuel II.
To honor the sacrifices he made to unify Italy, Garibaldi stars in many monuments across the country—including one atop the Janiculum Hill in Rome. Close to the university campus, this famous historical site is easily accessible to students who study abroad in Italy at John Cabot University.
After a nation-wide referendum following World War II in 1946, Italians voted in favor of a Republic, forever ousting the monarchy. History students know that this moment marked the beginning of modern Italy as we know it – and the first time in Italian history when women were given the vote! Following the birth of the republic, Italy experienced a massive economic boom, became a founding member of the NATO alliance, and helped form what would ultimately become the European Union.
While attending university in Italy, students will be able to learn about all of these important events and more as they explore the country and its rich history.
Are you ready to study abroad in Rome?
Contact John Cabot University today to learn how you can get started.