Southern Italy autonomist movements

There are various regional Southern Italy autonomist movements, covering the political spectrum from socialist to Bourbon monarchist.

Since the fall of the Roman Empire, Southern Italy often experienced distinct historical developments when compared to Northern Italy. As a result, it has developed distinctive cultures and identities that persist to this day. After the Kingdom of Italy took control of the south in 1861, as well as the rest of Italy apart from present day Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol, which were annexed later, it took many years before resistance died down and central authority was established. During World War II there were fresh attempts by Sicilians to achieve independence. Political groups continue to advocate greater autonomy, or sometimes even independence, for southern Italy.

However, the demand for autonomy or independence, with the exception of the island of Sardinia which is often included as part of Southern Italy, is now weaker in the South than in the North.

This article does not include Sardinia nor its own nationalist movement, being grounded on different historical and cultural reasons and backgrounds.

After the disintegration of the Western Roman Empire in 476, Italy and Sicily came under the control of successive Germanic invaders such as the Ostrogoths,Lombards and Franks. However, the Eastern Roman or Byzantine Empire continued to retain strong links with Venice, the south of Italy and Sicily. For long periods the southern territories were under Greek Byzantine control. Following the expansion of Islam, Sicily (as with Spain) was progressively conquered by the Arabs from the mid-9th to the mid-10th centuries, and Arab advances were introduced to Europe.

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