Raffaele Guariglia ambasciatore a Parigi. Dalla Conferenza di Monaco all’“ora delle decisioni irrevocabili” (1938-1940)

Abstract

The article explores the development of Italian-French relations from 1938 to the outbreak of war, using the recollections of the Italian ambassador in Paris Raffaele Guariglia. The diplomat’s convictions and principles will be highlighted, as well as the doubts and growing perplexities that emerged during his mission in France. Indeed, the activity of the Italian diplomat remains fundamental, despite, the attention of historiography has mainly been paid to accounts concerning relations with Germany and the United Kingdom, given the centrality the regime assigned to these relations. However, the choice to totally ignore a promising diplomatic track and the efforts of one’s own ambassador must also be understood because it reveals how deep the will to war of Fascism, and Mussolini in particular, was.