Dalla sconfitta alla reintegrazione: diplomazia e ridefinizione territoriale dell’Italia nel secondo dopoguerra

Abstract

The diplomatic history of post-war Italy begins with the armistice of 8 September 1943, a moment that marked the onset of a complex transition from an aggressor state to one seeking international reintegration. This article examines the main trajectories of that process, focusing on the negotiations that led to the 1947 peace treaty. Through the analysis of contemporary sources and authoritative historiography, the author reconstructs Italy’s position at international diplomatic tables, the tensions stemming from territorial claims advanced by the victorious powers, and the implications of military downsizing and colonial loss. Particular attention is devoted to the question of Venezia Giulia, the redefinition of the Alpine frontiers, the case of South Tyrol, and the dissolution of the African empire. The general picture conveys the image of a country that, although excluded from actual negotiations, sought to renegotiate its legitimacy through participation in the Resistance, its contribution to Allied military operations, and a diplomatic strategy aimed at stability. The study is situated within the fields of contemporary history and international relations, adopting an approach grounded in the interaction between diplomacy, strategy, and post-war reconstruction.

Keywords: 1947 Peace Treaty; post-war Italy; international diplomacy; territorial borders; Italian colonialism.