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Which countries had a thumb in the Italian pie?

The phrase "having a thumb in the Italian pie" is a figurative expression meaning to have a significant influence or involvement in something. It doesn't refer to any specific historical event or countries having a literal "thumb" in Italy.

However, if you're asking about countries that have had significant influence in Italy throughout history, here are some key players:

* The Roman Empire: The Roman Empire, with its origins in Italy, dominated much of Europe for centuries, leaving a lasting cultural and political impact on Italy.

* The Byzantine Empire: Following the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine) had a considerable cultural and religious influence on Italy, particularly in the southern regions.

* The Holy Roman Empire: The Holy Roman Empire, a loose association of German-speaking kingdoms, exerted some influence on Northern Italy for several centuries.

* Spain: During the Renaissance, Spain, particularly the Kingdom of Aragon, had a strong presence in Southern Italy, including Sicily and Naples.

* France: France has had various periods of influence in Italy, particularly in the 18th and 19th centuries, with notable periods of military and cultural influence.

* Austria: The Habsburg Empire, centered in Austria, held significant territories in Northern Italy for centuries, influencing Italian politics and culture.

* Great Britain: Britain played a role in Italian unification in the 19th century and later became a major economic and political partner.

* The United States: In the 20th century, the United States played a crucial role in post-war reconstruction and the Italian economic miracle.

It's important to remember that this is a simplified overview, and the history of foreign influence on Italy is complex and multifaceted.

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