The nation of Italy found itself in an uncertain situation in 2011. In the midst of a terrible economic crisis, Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi had to resign. Many Italian citizens were pleased with this change in the leadership of the government. But they also knew that what happened next would determine whether the nation would head deeper into debt or recover from the recession it had been facing for years. Italy hadn t always been in such a financial mess. Long ago, the Roman Empire was the envy of the rest of the world. Much more recently, following the end of World War II, Italy s economy had thrived. Can the country overcome its current problems and return to prosperity?