La Storia d'Italia di Indro Montanelli

- Season 1

(2000)

Benito Mussolini's profile is described in three phases: the March on Rome and first years of government, the following 15 years, the fall up to the killing in Milan.

On June 2, 1946, Italy becomes a Republic after the results of a popular referendum. King Umberto II, in office since May 9, accepts deposition and leaves for Portugal, in exile.

Between 1946 and 1947, Italian history is marked by three people: Alcide De Gasperi, Palmiro Togliatti and Pope Pius XII. In 1947 Italy signs the Paris Peace Treaties, losing some territories and changing its borders.

Between 1947 and 1948, Constituent Assembly approves the final text of Constitution, while the nation, in a climate of tension, is preparing to face the elections.

1948 is marked by the Christian Democracy's victory in the general elections, the election of Luigi Einaudi as President of the Italian Republic and the attack of fanatic Antonio Pallante against Palmiro Togliatti, who is wounded.

From 1948 to 1954, the union division take place, Italy changes from agricultural to industrial country (with migrations from Southern to Northern), Alcide De Gasperi, sick for some time, dies in Borgo Valsugana (Trentino).

The 1950s are marked by the election of Giovanni Gronchi as President of the Republic, the Soviet repression during the Hungarian revolution and the election of Angelo Roncalli as Pope John XXIII.

From 1955 to 1964, several governments are formed, including one supported by neo-fascists. This decade is marked by three excellent deaths: Pope John XXIII, Enrico Mattei and Palmiro Togliatti.

Between 1968 and 1969, Italy is shaken by student protests and trade union disputes, while the figure of Enrico Berlinguer emerges in the communist party.

On December 12, 1969, a bomb explodes at the headquarters of Milan National Agrarian Bank, killing 17 peoples. Anarchist Pietro Valpreda is initially indicted, subsequently are accused some far-right militants.

The beginning of the 1970s is marked by the law on divorce (confirmed by a referendum vote in 1974) and the election of Giovanni Leone as President of the Republic.

In the 1970s far-left terrorism, especially the Red Brigades, carry out robberies, kidnappings, injuries and murders, until the kidnapping and killing of Aldo Moro in 1978.

In 1978, Karol Wojtyla becomes Pope John Paul II and in 1985 Mikhail Gorbachev is appointed General Secretary of the CPSU, leading the nation until its dissolution, while Bettino Craxi becomes Prime Minister of Italy.

In 1981, investigating banker Michele Sindona, magistrates discover Licio Gelli's P2 Lodge, while in 1990 government reveals Gladio's existence (Italian Nato Stay-behind organization ready to intervene in case of foreign invasion).

With the investigation Mani pulite and the discovery of corruption system called Tangentopoli many politicians are being investigated for corruption. Prosecutors of Milan are the protagonists of investigation, especially Antonio Di Pietro.

History of Italy is also related to the history of mafia through slaughters, murders, collusion with politics and business people.

The beginning of the 1990s is marked by the dissolution of the Italian Communist Party, renamed Democratic Party of the Left, and the Northern League's birth (a regionalist political party active especially in Lombardy).

Main political parties, from 1992 to 1994, are delegitimized by corruption investigations and many MPs are being investigated. In this period Oscar Luigi Scalfaro is elected President of the Republic and Carlo Azeglio Ciampi becomes Prime Minister.

Silvio Berlusconi enters politics with his political party (Forza Italia) and wins the 1994 general election becoming Prime Minister. However his Cabinet lasts a few months due to internal conflicts with Umberto Bossi.

After Silvio Berlusconi's resignation Lamberto Dini forms a Government of Experts. Romano Prodi wins the 1996 general election and forms a government with the aim of bringing Italy into Eurozone.