When the High Seas Finally Reached Italian Shores: Italy’s Inclusion in the Atlantic Communitas

It is common in scholarly as well as public discourse to present Italy’s inclusion in the post-World War II Western order as a “choice”—as the “international choice” (scelta internazionale) of Italy. In many regards, this defi nition is correct. A “choice” it certainly was, although not one that was entirely free and independent. Italian elites and a majority of the public agreed with this choice, which was obstinately pursued by its two main sponsors: Italian Foreign Minister Carlo Sforza and Prime Minister Alcide De Gasperi.1