Gelasio Caetani, Italian ambassador to the United States: between foreign policy and economic affairs (1922-1925)

Abstract This article examines the diplomatic conduct of Gelasio Caetani during his tenure as Italian Ambassador to the United States in the early years of Mussolini’s government, highlighting his influence and decision-making processes. It investigates the reasons behind Mussolini’s choice of Caetani as his representative in Washington and analyses the major issues he confronted, ranging from foreign policy to Italy’s war debt stemming from the First World War, which Mussolini sought to address. Drawing on Caetani’s personal archive and cross-referencing primary sources from other collections, the study offers a comprehensive and nuanced account.