The path of Italy in the construction of Europe between 1945 and 1954: an analysis through the figure of Alcide De Gasperi

Abstract

The aim of this thesis is to demonstrate, in particular through the analysis of the figure and political work of on of the fathers of Europe, Alcide De Gasperi, that Italy's commitment to the European integration process was primarily driven by a desire for peace and stability as a consequence of the war and the redemption from the Fascist period. The main theme of the paper will be the search for peace and democracy in Italy between the end of the Second World War with the birth of the Republic in '46 and the period that followed, up to '54 with the death of De Gasperi, in which the project of building a European Union began to take shape thanks to De Gasperi's engagement. This will confirm the thesis that peace and stability would be guaranteed by the achievement of a higher unity, such as the EU. The research will be mostly carried out at the Historical Archives of the European Union of Fiesole, in particular in the framework of the De Gasperi Research Center that was opened in the Archives, where I am currently doing an internship. The methods encompass the analysis of primary sources as Italian diplomatic documents between 1946 and 1954, as well as speeches and informal writings of De Gasperi and his bibliography.