Rome became the capital of Italy after national unification was achieved in 1870. The population increased dramatically thereafter, from a quarter million to approximately three million in 1995.

Italy suffered a massive defeat in World War II, which ended with the fall of the fascist government. In 1946, the citizens voted for the establishment of a republic. At this time, the Christian Democratic Party emerged. Its leader, Alcide de Gasperi, was appointed prime minister and remained at this post until 1953. The second most influential party was the Communist Party. It started out with revolutionary propaganda, but abandoned this approach in the 1970s. It was renamed the Democratic Party of the Left in 1991.

Italy lost all its overseas colonies after the war, but managed to breathe new life into its economy nonetheless. In part, this was due to the support of the United States by means of the Marshall Plan (1948-1952). The European Community was established in Rome in 1957. As a member of this organization, Italy began to make progress, transforming into a leading industrial nation. Its automobile and office equipment industries were the most prolific. Naturally, this prosperity was most evident in its capital.

The country was not without its problems during this period. There was an unprecedented flight of capital, and unemployment and inflation rates skyrocketed in the 1970s. Rome had a problem with escalating terrorism perpetrated by fascist organizations during this decade and the next.

Today, Rome is the seat of government and a centre of art and science. It is not an industrialised city, which is among its major advantages. However, the levels of pollution are consistently high. The high number of motor vehicles affects historic sites very negatively.