The Kingdom of Italy officially came into being in 1861. This was the result of a national liberation movement known as the Risorgimento. This is how it was possible to unite all independent Italian states into one country, establishing power in the Kingdom of Sardinia.
The ruling dynasty in Italy was the Savoy dynasty. Only in 1946, when a nationwide referendum was held in the country, Italy abandoned the monarchical system in favor of the republican one. Almost immediately after that, the royal family left the country.
Foundation of a kingdom
The prerequisites for the formation of the Kingdom of Italy was the national movement. The fact is that until 1861 there was no single state on its territory. Throughout the Apennine Peninsula were scattered independentterritory, and its northeastern part was completely under the protectors of the Austrian Empire, ruled by the Habsburgs.
At the beginning of the 19th century, wars of liberation began for the unification of Italy. Mostly they were fought under the flag of the Sardinian kingdom. At first, any military action against Austria failed, but they played an important, even decisive role in raising patriotic feelings.
Initially, the medieval kingdom of Italy was located in the north of the country. It was formed in 781. But then it was included in the Holy Roman Empire. The takeover began in 951 and ended about ten years later. After that, until the middle of the 17th century, its emperors bore the title of Italian kings in parallel.
State in Northern Italy
It is noteworthy that during the time of Napoleon there was a state in the northern part of the peninsula. The Kingdom of Italy (1805-1814) was reorganized from the Italian Republic, with Napoleon himself as president. In the new kingdom, he received the status of ruler, and his stepson named Eugene Beauharnais became viceroy.
This kingdom included Venice, Lombardy, the Duchy of Modena, the Papal State, part of the Kingdom of Sardinia, and Trentino-Alto Adige.
Until 1809, Dalmatia, Istria and Kotor were part of the kingdom. They were included in the Illyrian provinces. At the same time, in fact, the state did not have independence, being subordinate to the French Empire. All resources were used to achieve its goals. During the coalition wars, bridgeheads against the Austrian Empire were located on the territory of the kingdom.
When Napoleon failed and also relinquished power, Eugene de Beauharnais tried to be crowned. But at that time there was a strong opposition in the Senate, which raised an uprising in Milan. Because the plans of Beauharnais were thwarted. Eugene was handed over to the Austrians who occupied Milan.
Start merging
As a result of the war between the Austrians, Italians and French, as well as the ensuing landing of Garibaldi's troops, the Kingdom of Sardinia was united with Romagna, Tuscany, Modena, Parma, as well as the kingdoms of the two Sicilies. The Kingdom of Italy was proclaimed on March 17, 1861 by the Parliament of Sardinia. King Victor Emmanuel II became its head. The unification of Italy, the proclamation of the Italian kingdom took place in Turin.
However, at that time it was not possible to unite the entire territory of the Kingdom of Italy. Austria retained power over part of the Apennine Peninsula, and in Rome, which was occupied by French troops, the Pope ruled.
When the Austro-Prussian war began, Italy took the side of Prussia, having managed to annex the remaining lands to its territory as a result of this confrontation. In the fall of 1870, Italian troops entered Rome to finally drive the French out of there.
In 1870, the Papal States were officially liquidated, the capital of the kingdom moved from Florence to Rome. Italybecame the first state that managed to establish control over the entire Apennine Peninsula, with the exception of the miniature enclave of San Marino. Previously, only Byzantium was able to do this.
The fascists come to power
The political system of the kingdom was radically changed when, in 1921, Benito Mussolini created the National Fascist Party. Immediately 38 deputies from this association were elected to parliament.
The next year, the March on Rome takes place, the Fascist Party seizes power in the country, and Mussolini becomes Prime Minister. Since then, Italy has become a fascist state. People in power persecute political opponents and adversaries. During their reign, more than 4,5 thousand people were accused for political reasons, most of them are communists.
Kingdom in World War II
Since 1940, Italy enters the Second World War on the side of Germany. Its troops occupy part of the Balkan Peninsula, as well as France. Leads battles in North America, but soon loses Ethiopia.
When the Italian army is defeated on the Black Continent, the allies land in Sicily. Mussolini is replaced by Marshal Badoglio. And by September 1943, Italy goes over to the side of the United Nations.
Mussolini is trying to resist, even creating an alternative government in the north of the country, which is involved in the war until 1945.
Territory
Kingdom of Italy (1861-1946) is the same as the territorymodern Italy. In fact, the unification is completed only in 1870.
Also, Italy has kingdoms in northern Africa. In particular, Somalia, Eritrea, Ethiopia and Libya are under its protectorate. In 1936, Italian East Africa is formed in the east of the continent. By 1939, the kingdom captures Albania, during the war it temporarily occupies Greece, Yugoslavia, British Somalia and Egypt.
Political structure
Italy exists as a constitutional monarchy. The king performs the functions of the executive power, leading the ministers, whom he himself appoints. There are two chambers in Parliament. These are the Senate and the Chamber of Elected Deputies. They limit the ruler's power.
At the same time, the ministers are directly subordinate to the king, but, as practice shows, the government fails to stay in power without the support of parliament.
Deputies are elected by majority vote in single-member constituencies. To win, you need to get more than half of the votes of the voters who came to the polling stations.
Proportional electoral system appears only after the First World War. The socialist party becomes the largest party, but it never manages to form a government. Parliament breaks into factions.
With the coming to power of Mussolini, a fascist dictatorship is established, and the proportional system is abolished. From now on, the constitution operates only formally.
The flag of the kingdom of Italy resembles a modern one. It also features green, white and redvertical stripes. Only in the middle was the crown.
