Iluzorní spojenectví - Role Itálie v procesu formování Československa – Ferranti Lamberto (2020)

This book offers Czech readers a unique Italian perspective on the role of Italy in World War I, the formation of the Czechoslovak legions in Italy, and the emergence of an independent Czechoslovakia. Additionally, it broadly describes Italy's path to conflict, its complicated relationships with allies and adversaries, as well as the influential papacy. For Italians, the future of Austria-Hungary and the nations living there was an important question. Initially, they viewed its disintegration negatively, but ultimately accepted its demise and fully supported the claims of Czechs and Slovaks for their own state, significantly contributing to the formation, training, and arming of Czechoslovak units – legions and militias – on their territory. These subsequently played an important role in defending the borders and interests of the new republic. However, Italy took a negative stance towards the birth of Yugoslavia, which it saw as a new adversary in the Adriatic region, while viewing Czechoslovakia as a close partner. This, along with the strong influence of France, ultimately led to the initially promising Czechoslovak-Italian alliance becoming an unattainable illusion.