Books by Giulia Bentivoglio
At first glance, there could be few countries more diverse than Britain and Italy: one the cradle... more At first glance, there could be few countries more diverse than Britain and Italy: one the cradle of democracy, a model for most other parliamentary systems; the other a young nation and the essence of political instability. Yet despite the differences, from the mid 1970s London and Rome shared a common destiny of struggle against the crisis which eventually led them to a new “renaissance” by the early 1980s. Drawing on a wide range of sources, this volume fills an important historiographical gap, casting new light on the unexplored relations between Britain and Italy during the Cold War.
The “Italian case” concerned all the major Western powers: Italy was generally perceived as the great “sick man of Europe”, and her very democratic solidity appeared to be challenged, while also seemingly threatening the stability of the continent and the East-West balance of power. Yet there was another “sick man” in the Old Continent: in those years, Britain was to face a severe economic and monetary crisis which weakened her international stance and forced her to play the double role of “doctor” of the Italian disease while being a “patient” herself. It is a tale of two crises, and two ways out of them.
Nel 1972 il premier britannico Edward Heath firmava il Trattato di adesione alla Cee: si conclude... more Nel 1972 il premier britannico Edward Heath firmava il Trattato di adesione alla Cee: si concludeva così oltre un decennio di veti, ripensamenti e difficili negoziati. Quali erano le ripercussioni della scelta europea della Gran Bretagna sul rapporto con gli Stati Uniti, l'alleato fino ad allora privilegiato? Era davvero la fine della "special relationship"?
In un periodo cruciale per la ridefinizione del ruolo del Regno Unito e di grandi mutamenti sullo scenario internazionale, il ritorno al potere dei "Tories" pareva dover creare una maggiore intesa con l'amministrazione Nixon, dando nuova vitalità alle relazioni anglo-americane messe alla prova dal conflitto in Vietnam e dal dialogo bipolare. Eppure, l'inizio degli anni Settanta è stato fino ad ora considerato dalla storiografia come il momento più critico nella "special relationship".
Questo volume, basato su fonti di archivio inedite, mostra invece come le relazioni con gli Stati Uniti anche in questi anni siano state fondamentali per la Gran Bretagna e anzi quanto mai necessarie, sia per la difficile situazione interna britannica, sia a causa della crisi economica mondiale e del momento delicato nelle vicende della Comunità Europea.
Tra iniziative sfortunate come l'Anno dell'Europa e il riaccendersi del problema mediorientale, sullo sfondo dell'affare Watergate e della crisi energetica, il rapporto tra Londra e Washington diventa così una chiave di lettura per comprendere le relazioni tra le due sponde dell'Atlantico nel complesso scenario della distensione.
The necessary relationship. Heath’s Britain and the United States, 1970-1974
In 1972, Edward Heath signed the EEC Treaty of Accession, closing over a decade of vetoes and harsh negotiations. How did Britain’s European choice affect the link with the United States? Was it the actual end of the “special relationship”?
When the Tories came back to power in 1970, it seemed to start a new phase of agreement with the Nixon Administration, revitalizing Anglo-American relations which had been put to the test by the Vietnam conflict and the bipolar dialogue. And yet, historiography has usually considered the early Seventies as the most critical moment in the “special relationship”.
This volume, based on unpublished archival sources, shows how also in these years the relations with the United States were indeed fundamental and more than ever necessary for Britain, in a pivotal moment for the redefinition of its international role.
With ill-fated initiatives like the Year of Europe and the revival of the Middle East issue, on the background of the Watergate affair and the energy crisis, the relationship between London and Washington becomes a key to understand transatlantic relations in the complex scenario of détente.
Papers by Giulia Bentivoglio
Peoples and Borders, 2017
&... more "Nel 1972 il premier britannico Edward Heath firmava il Trattato di adesione alla Cee: si concludeva così oltre un decennio di veti, ripensamenti e difficili negoziati. Quali erano le ripercussioni della scelta europea della Gran Bretagna sul rapporto con gli Stati Uniti, l'alleato fino ad allora privilegiato? Era davvero la fine della "special relationship"? In un periodo cruciale per la ridefinizione del ruolo del Regno Unito e di grandi mutamenti sullo scenario internazionale, il ritorno al potere dei "Tories" pareva dover creare una maggiore intesa con l'amministrazione Nixon, dando nuova vitalità alle relazioni anglo-americane messe alla prova dal conflitto in Vietnam e dal dialogo bipolare. Eppure, l'inizio degli anni Settanta è stato fino ad ora considerato dalla storiografia come il momento più critico nella "special relationship". Questo volume, basato su fonti di archivio inedite, mostra invece come le relazioni con gli Stati Uniti anche in questi anni siano state fondamentali per la Gran Bretagna e anzi quanto mai necessarie, sia per la difficile situazione interna britannica, sia a causa della crisi economica mondiale e del momento delicato nelle vicende della Comunità Europea. Tra iniziative sfortunate come l'Anno dell'Europa e il riaccendersi del problema mediorientale, sullo sfondo dell'affare Watergate e della crisi energetica, il rapporto tra Londra e Washington diventa così una chiave di lettura per comprendere le relazioni tra le due sponde dell'Atlantico nel complesso scenario della distensione. The necessary relationship. Heath’s Britain and the United States, 1970-1974 In 1972, Edward Heath signed the EEC Treaty of Accession, closing over a decade of vetoes and harsh negotiations. How did Britain’s European choice affect the link with the United States? Was it the actual end of the “special relationship”? When the Tories came back to power in 1970, it seemed to start a new phase of agreement with the Nixon Administration, revitalizing Anglo-American relations which had been put to the test by the Vietnam conflict and the bipolar dialogue. And yet, historiography has usually considered the early Seventies as the most critical moment in the “special relationship”. This volume, based on unpublished archival sources, shows how also in these years the relations with the United States were indeed fundamental and more than ever necessary for Britain, in a pivotal moment for the redefinition of its international role. With ill-fated initiatives like the Year of Europe and the revival of the Middle East issue, on the background of the Watergate affair and the energy crisis, the relationship between London and Washington becomes a key to understand transatlantic relations in the complex scenario of détente."
The Italian elections of 24-25 February 2013, gave Italians their first chance to vote after the ... more The Italian elections of 24-25 February 2013, gave Italians their first chance to vote after the ill-fated experiment of Mario Monti’s “technocratic government”. These elections were a test in many senses: they were a test for the parties involved to show signs of actual change and detachment from a political system that urgently needed to be cleaned up. They were a test of credibility for the country as a whole, to indicate to its European partners that it was able to achieve the political stability essential to Italy’s economic recovery. Finally, the elections were a test on the Eurozone and the feasibility of continuing austerity.
Following the Bolshevik revolution of 1917, the United Kingdom had to face a twofold threat: prop... more Following the Bolshevik revolution of 1917, the United Kingdom had to face a twofold threat: propaganda and nationalism in India—the British Empire’s ‘jewel in the crown’—and an expanding Marxist movement at home. Bentivoglio documents how Russia, with the growing role of the Communist International, jeopardised British political legacy and social stability. Moreover, she illustrates how the connections between Soviet Russia, socialists in Britain and nationalists in India became the object of suspicion on the part of British intelligence. Bolshevism thus represented a prime concern in terms of imperial defence, although, most surprisingly, the first legal acknowledgement to Soviet Russia came from Britain, with the signing of an Anglo-Soviet trade agreement in 1921. This chapter analyses the correlation between the development of Anglo-Soviet relations and Bolshevik attempts to infiltrate India in the early twentieth century.
VENTUNESIMO SECOLO, 2017
During the 1960s the debate on the technological gap between Europe and the United States inflame... more During the 1960s the debate on the technological gap between Europe and the United States inflamed both shores of the Atlantic. In this scenario, two countries stood out with their proposals to overcome the issue: Italy with her "technological Marshall Plan" and Britain’s project for a European Technological Community. Although different in scopes and limitations, both proposals originated from the desire to exploit the issue of technological gap for political purposes. The article addresses the political reasons behind these converging strategies and their effects on Anglo- Italian relations.
Italy in the New International Order, 1917–1922, 2020
The outcome of the First World War posed significant challenges to Italy, which emerged with dram... more The outcome of the First World War posed significant challenges to Italy, which emerged with dramatic strength during 1919–1920: a mix of internal political weakness, economic distress and social turmoil upset the country. The analysis of British diplomatic documents offers a fresh perspective of the Italian crisis and reveals new aspects of this neglected topic. Through the lens of British papers, we can acquire new elements in order to understand to what extent domestic and foreign policy were connected and how Italy, as an international actor, was perceived in London, precisely at the peak of its internal crisis when the danger—whether real or perceived—that the country could be on the verge of revolution reached its highest point.
During the 1960s the debate on the technological gap between Europe and the United States inflame... more During the 1960s the debate on the technological gap between Europe and the United States inflamed both shores of the Atlantic. In this scenario, two countries stood out with their proposals to overcome the issue: Italy with her "technological Marshall Plan" and Britain’s project for a European Technological Community. Although different in scopes and limitations, both proposals originated from the desire to exploit the issue of technological gap for political purposes. The article addresses the political reasons behind these converging strategies and their effects on Anglo- Italian relations.
Journal of European Integration History, 2016
The partnership between Italy and Britain has been a constant, albeit troubled, topic in the proc... more The partnership between Italy and Britain has been a constant, albeit troubled, topic in the process of European integration. After the United Kingdom had become a member state, a London-Rome axis had been envisioned, to counteract the special relationship between the governments of Paris and Bonn. A peculiar example of potential Anglo-Italian alliance was the series of negotiations which led to the creation of the European Monetary System in 1978. The timing of this initiative was extremely unfortunate for both countries, which were struggling with internal problems. Despite differing views and positions in the international scenario, close collaboration between the countries could have helped in attempting to correct the presumed inequities in the Community Budget and the Common Agricultural Policy. The picture which emerges from British documents shows how, in spite of her weaknesses, Italy indeed played an important role in London’s European policy, at least as regards certain topics and moments. One element which could jeopardise this relationship was Britain’s strategy in concealing her real intentions in joining the EMS.
Talks by Giulia Bentivoglio
Giulia Bentivoglio commenta a Spazio transnazionale le politiche per l’immigrazione del governo d... more Giulia Bentivoglio commenta a Spazio transnazionale le politiche per l’immigrazione del governo di David Cameron e analizza storicamente la tradizione politica del Regno Unito sul tema.
Il Regno Unito dopo la fine del conflitto – la Guerra fredda – l’eredità dell’Impero – la “specia... more Il Regno Unito dopo la fine del conflitto – la Guerra fredda – l’eredità dell’Impero – la “special relationship” – la crisi di Suez – il rapporto con gli Stati Uniti – la scelta europea – la signora Thatcher al potere – la seconda guerra fredda – le Falklands – il New Labour – la Guerra in Iraq
Uploads
Books by Giulia Bentivoglio
The “Italian case” concerned all the major Western powers: Italy was generally perceived as the great “sick man of Europe”, and her very democratic solidity appeared to be challenged, while also seemingly threatening the stability of the continent and the East-West balance of power. Yet there was another “sick man” in the Old Continent: in those years, Britain was to face a severe economic and monetary crisis which weakened her international stance and forced her to play the double role of “doctor” of the Italian disease while being a “patient” herself. It is a tale of two crises, and two ways out of them.
In un periodo cruciale per la ridefinizione del ruolo del Regno Unito e di grandi mutamenti sullo scenario internazionale, il ritorno al potere dei "Tories" pareva dover creare una maggiore intesa con l'amministrazione Nixon, dando nuova vitalità alle relazioni anglo-americane messe alla prova dal conflitto in Vietnam e dal dialogo bipolare. Eppure, l'inizio degli anni Settanta è stato fino ad ora considerato dalla storiografia come il momento più critico nella "special relationship".
Questo volume, basato su fonti di archivio inedite, mostra invece come le relazioni con gli Stati Uniti anche in questi anni siano state fondamentali per la Gran Bretagna e anzi quanto mai necessarie, sia per la difficile situazione interna britannica, sia a causa della crisi economica mondiale e del momento delicato nelle vicende della Comunità Europea.
Tra iniziative sfortunate come l'Anno dell'Europa e il riaccendersi del problema mediorientale, sullo sfondo dell'affare Watergate e della crisi energetica, il rapporto tra Londra e Washington diventa così una chiave di lettura per comprendere le relazioni tra le due sponde dell'Atlantico nel complesso scenario della distensione.
The necessary relationship. Heath’s Britain and the United States, 1970-1974
In 1972, Edward Heath signed the EEC Treaty of Accession, closing over a decade of vetoes and harsh negotiations. How did Britain’s European choice affect the link with the United States? Was it the actual end of the “special relationship”?
When the Tories came back to power in 1970, it seemed to start a new phase of agreement with the Nixon Administration, revitalizing Anglo-American relations which had been put to the test by the Vietnam conflict and the bipolar dialogue. And yet, historiography has usually considered the early Seventies as the most critical moment in the “special relationship”.
This volume, based on unpublished archival sources, shows how also in these years the relations with the United States were indeed fundamental and more than ever necessary for Britain, in a pivotal moment for the redefinition of its international role.
With ill-fated initiatives like the Year of Europe and the revival of the Middle East issue, on the background of the Watergate affair and the energy crisis, the relationship between London and Washington becomes a key to understand transatlantic relations in the complex scenario of détente.
Papers by Giulia Bentivoglio
Talks by Giulia Bentivoglio
The “Italian case” concerned all the major Western powers: Italy was generally perceived as the great “sick man of Europe”, and her very democratic solidity appeared to be challenged, while also seemingly threatening the stability of the continent and the East-West balance of power. Yet there was another “sick man” in the Old Continent: in those years, Britain was to face a severe economic and monetary crisis which weakened her international stance and forced her to play the double role of “doctor” of the Italian disease while being a “patient” herself. It is a tale of two crises, and two ways out of them.
In un periodo cruciale per la ridefinizione del ruolo del Regno Unito e di grandi mutamenti sullo scenario internazionale, il ritorno al potere dei "Tories" pareva dover creare una maggiore intesa con l'amministrazione Nixon, dando nuova vitalità alle relazioni anglo-americane messe alla prova dal conflitto in Vietnam e dal dialogo bipolare. Eppure, l'inizio degli anni Settanta è stato fino ad ora considerato dalla storiografia come il momento più critico nella "special relationship".
Questo volume, basato su fonti di archivio inedite, mostra invece come le relazioni con gli Stati Uniti anche in questi anni siano state fondamentali per la Gran Bretagna e anzi quanto mai necessarie, sia per la difficile situazione interna britannica, sia a causa della crisi economica mondiale e del momento delicato nelle vicende della Comunità Europea.
Tra iniziative sfortunate come l'Anno dell'Europa e il riaccendersi del problema mediorientale, sullo sfondo dell'affare Watergate e della crisi energetica, il rapporto tra Londra e Washington diventa così una chiave di lettura per comprendere le relazioni tra le due sponde dell'Atlantico nel complesso scenario della distensione.
The necessary relationship. Heath’s Britain and the United States, 1970-1974
In 1972, Edward Heath signed the EEC Treaty of Accession, closing over a decade of vetoes and harsh negotiations. How did Britain’s European choice affect the link with the United States? Was it the actual end of the “special relationship”?
When the Tories came back to power in 1970, it seemed to start a new phase of agreement with the Nixon Administration, revitalizing Anglo-American relations which had been put to the test by the Vietnam conflict and the bipolar dialogue. And yet, historiography has usually considered the early Seventies as the most critical moment in the “special relationship”.
This volume, based on unpublished archival sources, shows how also in these years the relations with the United States were indeed fundamental and more than ever necessary for Britain, in a pivotal moment for the redefinition of its international role.
With ill-fated initiatives like the Year of Europe and the revival of the Middle East issue, on the background of the Watergate affair and the energy crisis, the relationship between London and Washington becomes a key to understand transatlantic relations in the complex scenario of détente.