Amadeo I of Spain (Amadeo's Spain)

Amadeo I (Italian: Amedeo, sometimes anglicized as Amadeus; 30 May 1845 – 18 January 1890) was the first King of Spain from the House of Savoy. He was the second son of King Vittorio Emanuele II of Italy and was known for most of his life as the Duke of Aosta, but he reigned as King of Spain from 1870 to his death in 1890.

He was elected by the Cortes as Spain's monarch in 1870, following the deposition of Isabella II, and was sworn in the following year. The early years of King Amadeo's reign was fraught with growing republicanism, Carlist rebellions in the north, and the Cuban independence movement. The political instability forced the King to declare marshal law and Spain was under direct military rule until 1888. The country only returned to democracy due to the King's fear of revolution and censorship was lowered. Nonetheless, he remains a controversial figure in Spanish history.