Kingdom of Italy
The Kingdom of Italy was a state that existed from 1861 when the regions of the Italian Peninsula were united under the rule of the House of Savoy, until 1946 when the monarchy was abolished following a referendum, leading to the establishment of the Italian Republic.
Historical Background
- Unification: The process of Italian unification, known as the Risorgimento, began in the early 19th century. The movement aimed at unifying the various states and territories of the Italian Peninsula into a single nation-state.
- Proclamation: On March 17, 1861, Victor Emmanuel II was proclaimed King of Italy, marking the official birth of the Kingdom of Italy. This event was the culmination of efforts by figures like Giuseppe Garibaldi, Camillo Benso, Count of Cavour, and Giuseppe Mazzini.
- Expansion: Over the next few years, Italy expanded through military campaigns and diplomatic efforts, notably gaining Veneto from the Austrian Empire in 1866 and Rome in 1870, which then became the capital of the Kingdom.
Political and Social Development
- Constitutional Monarchy: The Kingdom of Italy was a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system. The Statuto Albertino, granted by King Charles Albert in 1848, served as the constitution, outlining the rights of the subjects and the structure of government.
- Liberal Era: The period from the unification until World War I is often called the Liberal Era, characterized by the dominance of the liberal political elite and significant economic and industrial growth.
- Social Issues: Despite progress, Italy faced numerous social challenges, including the Southern Question—the economic and cultural divide between the industrial north and the agrarian south.
World War I and Interwar Period
- World War I: Italy entered World War I on the side of the Allies in 1915 with the promise of territorial gains. The war resulted in significant territorial expansion but also in economic hardship and social unrest.
- Fascist Era: The interwar period saw the rise of Benito Mussolini and his National Fascist Party, which took power in 1922 after the March on Rome. Mussolini's regime transformed Italy into a totalitarian state.
World War II and the End of the Monarchy
- World War II: Italy entered World War II in 1940 as part of the Axis Powers. The war led to the fall of Mussolini in 1943, the subsequent armistice with the Allies, and the country's division into a German-occupied north and an Allied-occupied south.
- End of the Monarchy: Following the war, a referendum was held in 1946 on the form of government. The result favored the establishment of a republic, ending the reign of House of Savoy.
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