| Major states | Papal States • Kingdom of the Two Sicilies • Republic of Venice • Duchy of Lombardy • Kingdom of Piedmont |
| Geopolitical role | Complex alliances and rivalries with France, Austria, and Spain |
| Cultural diversity | High |
| Economic diversity | High |
| Political diversity | High |
| Political structure | Patchwork of independent states |
| Centralized authority | No |
| Lack of national identity | Yes |
The Italian peninsula in the modern era is defined by its political fragmentation, with a patchwork of independent states and territories rather than a unified nation. Unlike the Italy of our timeline, the region has not coalesced into a single, centralized kingdom or republic. Instead, the peninsula is home to a diverse array of sovereign political entities, each with their own distinct histories, economies, and cultural identities.
The most prominent of these Italian states is the Papal States, a theocratic monarchy centered in Rome and ruled by the Pope as both a spiritual and temporal authority. Tracing its origins back to the 8th century, the Papal States have long played a pivotal role in European politics, alternating between periods of strength and weakness.
Despite numerous attempts by Italian nationalist movements and foreign powers to undermine or conquer the Papal States, the popes have managed to maintain their sovereignty over central Italy for centuries. This has allowed the Catholic Church to project significant political and cultural influence across the peninsula and beyond.
To the south, the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies stands as another major Italian power. Encompassing the southern portion of the peninsula as well as the island of Sicily, this monarchy has a complex and often turbulent history, marked by periods of prosperity and foreign domination.
Unlike the Papal States, the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies has faced repeated challenges to its integrity, including attempts by the Savoy dynasty in Piedmont to incorporate it into a unified Italian kingdom. However, the southern monarchy has managed to maintain its independence, leveraging its strategic location and maritime trade to project influence across the Mediterranean.
Further north, the Republic of Venice endures as one of the most storied and influential Italian states. A renowned maritime power, Venice has built its wealth and power through extensive trade networks spanning the Mediterranean and beyond. Its unique system of government, combining oligarchic and republican elements, has allowed the city-state to navigate the treacherous waters of European geopolitics.
Despite facing periodic conflicts with rival powers like Austria and the Ottoman Empire, the Venetian Republic has proven remarkably resilient, adopting innovative economic and military strategies to safeguard its independence. Venice's vast commercial and cultural influence continues to shape the character of northeastern Italy.
In northern Italy, the political landscape is further fragmented, with the Duchy of Lombardy and the Kingdom of Piedmont serving as two of the most powerful states. While they have at times competed for dominance, these two entities have also collaborated and formed shifting alliances to counter external threats.
Lombardy, centered around the city of Milan, has long been a center of industry, finance, and cultural innovation. Its strategic location at the crossroads of trade routes has made it a prized possession for foreign powers. Meanwhile, Piedmont, with its capital in Turin, has built a reputation as a capable military power, projecting influence through its armed forces and diplomatic maneuverings.
The political fragmentation of the Italian peninsula has had significant implications for its geopolitical role. Lacking a unified national identity or centralized authority, the various Italian states have engaged in complex negotiations, alliances, and conflicts with each other and with external powers like France, Austria, and Spain.
This landscape of competing interests has at times allowed the Italian states to play larger powers off against one another, preserving their autonomy. However, it has also made the region vulnerable to foreign domination and interventions, as outside actors seek to exert control over the peninsula's strategic locations and resources.
As a result, the history of Italy has been characterized by a constant balancing act, as the various states navigate shifting regional and global power dynamics, seeking to preserve their distinct identities and interests. This fragmented political landscape continues to shape the character and trajectory of the Italian peninsula in the modern era.
