The Last Days of Papal Rome: 1850 1870 (Classic Reprint)

A vivid, documentary history of Rome from 1850 to 1870, tracing the fall of papal rule and the birth of a unified Italy.

This edition uncovers the pressures and choices that shaped the city during a pivotal era. It blends political maneuvering, church-state conflicts, and social transformation to show how Rome moved from a papal fortress to a key piece of a united Italy. Readers will see the clash between liberal ideals and clerical authority, the impact of war and occupation, and the sudden shifts in power that redefined daily life in the capital.

Through firsthand references and careful analysis, the work maps the strategic moves of rulers, diplomats, and citizens alike. It explains the timing and consequences of events such as plebiscites, excommunications, and debates over sovereignty, while highlighting the human dimension of a city at the heart of history.

• How foreign influence and internal politics influenced Rome’s governance.
• The role of the university, censorship, and student movements in public life.
• Key moments of conflict, alliance, and capitulation that shaped the Papal States.
• Social and cultural changes as Rome navigated occupation and unification.

Ideal for readers of modern Italian history, church-state studies, and those interested in Rome’s transformation during the age of unification.