Sei Libera, Sii Grande ("You are free, Be strong") | |||||||
| Anthem | "Hymn of Mameli" | ||||||
| Capital (and largest city) |
Rome | ||||||
| Other cities | Milan, Turin, Naples, Palermo and others | ||||||
| Language official |
Italian | ||||||
| others | Greek, Croatian, German, Slovenian, French, Arab, Maldivian, Comorian and others | ||||||
| Religion main |
Roman Christianity | ||||||
| others | Prostantism, Islam, Atheism and others | ||||||
| Ethnic Groups main |
Italian | ||||||
| others | Slovenians, Croatians, Germans, South Tyroleses, Arabs, Maldivians, Comorians, Greeks and others | ||||||
| Demonym | Italian | ||||||
| Government | Unitary parliamentary republic | ||||||
| Legislature | Italian Parliament | ||||||
| President of the Republic | Sergio Mattarella | ||||||
| President of the Council | Paolo Gentiloni | ||||||
| Area | 310.190 (Metropolitan) km²
2.796 (Overseas) km² | ||||||
| Population | 61,072,126 (Metropolitan)
1,263,257 (Overseas) | ||||||
| Established | 7th Septhember 1860 (Foundation)
30th August 1900 (Unification of Italy) | ||||||
| Independence | from Kingdom of the Two Sicilies | ||||||
| declared | 7th Septhember 1860 | ||||||
| Currency | Euro (€) | ||||||
| Organizations | EU, NATO, ONU, CIS and others | ||||||
Giuseppe Mazzini, Triumvirate of the Roman Republic, leader of the Giovine Italia and first president of the Italian Republic, is considerate the founding father of the nation with Cavour and Garibaldi.
The Italian Republic (Repubblica Italiana), or more called Italy (Italia) is a country located in southern Europe, the republic control other the Italian Peninsula also the Maldives, the Comoros in the Indian Ocean and the .
History[]
The history of the Republic started during the Risorgimento, and more specifically in the Expeditions of the Thousand, in this expedition the original plan was that of conquered the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies for give that at the King Victor Emmanuel II, but their plans change when Mazzini have convinced Garibaldi and the other patriots at found the "Italian Republic" at Naples, and so on when Garibaldi arrive in Naples the 7th September of the 1860 it was proclaimed by Mazzini in a General Assembly, the General Assembly later would become the Italian Parliament, the assembly also was have the duty of elected the president, make laws and propose laws.
And so for the first election it was voted at the unanimity Giuseppe Mazzini, previous Triumvirate of the Roman Republic, lawyer and leader of the Giovine Italia, a political party with the goal of unite Italy under a unique flag, the assembly have chosen of use for now a modified version of the Roman Constitution, without the part on the Pope and the changing from a triumvirate to a single head of state called "Presidente della Repubblica", and for prime minister was nominated Andrea Bertani, a republican of left.
With the nomination of the republic the population of Naples and, in general, that of the ex-kingdom was joy and happy to see a changing, many Italians would join in the new Italian National Guard, a gendarmerie founded on the block of the Southern Army, composed by Garibaldini, it was also present in the port of Naples the fleet of the Bourbon Navy, and also it was still present the Bourbon Army, with this who armed forces, who was the most modern and the most great of the pre-unitary Italy, it was founded respectively the Italian Navy and the Italian Army, the republic at the end of September was able of maintain a military structure of 90,000 soldiers in arms in the army, 10,000 in the national guard and of 30,000 sailors, with also 136 ships of the Bourbon Navy.
The first Baptism of the Fire for the young Italian Army was the Battle of the Volturno, 50,000 Bourbon soldiers was trying at break the line hold by the Italian Army and after take again Naples, at the end the battle was win by the Italians, with 55,000 soldiers participated in the battle, with the defeated of the Army of the Two Sicilies they retreat in the Fortress of Gaeta.
Some days before the Piedmountese Army was advancing in the Marche and in Umbria, for arrive in the southern territory and take Naples, with the victory at Castelfidardo and at Ancona again the Papal Army the road was open, and after both victory the Marche and the Umbria would be annexed at the Kingdom of Italy via a Plebiscite.
Meantime the republic was trying to be recognized at international level as a sovereign nation, the first nation at do that was the United States of America, with the sending of the US ambassador in the Papal States at Naples, for recognize the republic and started relations, after the recognize by the US Italy was recognize by all the nations in South and Central America, Switzerland and by the Ottoman Empire, the first European nation at have recognize the Italian Republic as a sovereign nation.
The two Italy[]
Coat of arms of the Italian Republic, is composed by the symbols of the four most knowing merchant republic during the Medioeve; Venice, Genoa, Amalfi and Pisa, this composition was made for unite the Italians.
The 8th October of the 1860 king Victor Emmanuel II at the head of his Army from Ancona proceede to matvh info the Abruzzi, but at the old border between the Papal State and the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies they was stopped by a huge contingent of the National Guard, lead by the Gen. Nino Bixio for put down the siege of Civitella del Tronto, with Gaeta and Messina they was the last sack of resistance of the Bourbon Army, in that moment a conflict between the Piedmountese Army and the National Guard was avoided by chance of don't start a Civil War, and so on the Gen. Caldini return back and Bixio report this diplomatic incident at Mazzini.
When the news arrive at Turin, Cavor, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Sardinia was furious and angry for this diplomatic incident, but it was clear that for now the Southern territory can't be take by the Piedmount and so Cavour give the precise order at the ambassador Villafranca, ambassador for the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies of try to started an agreement to try to take Sicily or other regions, but all the trattatives failed miserably, as the Prime Minister Bertani doesn't have the intention of lose what they have conquered, and so, after they have received other instruction the Kingdom of Sardinia to close relations with the Italian Republic.
The Papal States for his part decide to don't recognize the Italian Republic as sovereign state, why the Italian Republic was describe by Pope Pious IX as "The most horrible and form of nation is the republic, that who close the church and that who it is openly anti-clerical."
At this words the president Mazzini decide to give support at the nationalist and pro-unity movement in the Papal exclave of Pontecorvo and Benevento, but when the troops arrive in the two cities it was discovered that they proclaiming himself as a part of the republic, and so one the two cities was annexed with a plebiscite.
The Kingdom of Sardinia have plan for invade the Italian Republic and take that, but with the international recognize by many states and with the fear of been invaded by Austria decide to don't attack the Republic.
The republic was still fighting the Bourbonic forces at Gaeta and Messina, both are the well defense and then don't have intention of surrender, then the government send Liborio Romano, ex-leader of the Police under the Bourbon and prime minister of the last government under king Francis II, for treaty with what remain of the Bourbon, the emissary of the republic asked for the retreat of the Bourbon Army and they would be have the honor of the arms, and if the troops and the officials want they can join at the Italian Army with their ranks and year of service of the Army of the Two Sicilies, at the end the king Francis II accept the defeated, with the sign of this treaty also the fortress of Messina surrender.
With this diplomatic action the Italian Republic have prove diplomatic skills and mercy at the enemies, and also with this action finally the other European nations recognize the Italian Republic as a sovereign nation, except for the Kingdom of Sardinia and the Papal States.
New year, new events. []
With the arrive of the 1861 many things happened both in intern and outside at the Republic, one of this event was the foundation of the Confederate States of America or CSA by Jefferson Davis, after the declaration of independence and the declaration of war they was searching diplomatic support, with the start of the American Civil War the CSA have send diplomats and emissary in all the capitals of Europe, for try to have diplomatic support, but few support arrive from the United Kingdom, France, Prussia and Spain. The only state at have show some interest was the Italian Republic, in fact the republic have haven't recognize the CSA as a sovereign republic, but it have give at their the POWs take by the Italian Army, at least 40,000 - 50,000, many of that would join at the CSA Army for formed the Italian Legion, but some of that would go in the Union for form the Garibaldi's Guard. Other then that prisoners maybe volunteers would join the United States Army for fight again the CSA, at least 100,000 volunteers leave Naples and Palermo for take part at the fight.
The 17th March of the 1861 was proclaimed at Turin the Kingdom of Italy, even without Rome, Venice and Naples, in this proclamation the Parliament have proclaim Victor Emmanuel II King of Italy, and during this session Cavour say that the unification it wouldn't complete until the conquered of Rome, Naples and Venice.
In the month of May the government of Bertani started at modernize the republic, with the plan of expand the railroads and of create a assistance social plan for workers and sickness, also with the create of trade unions based on the English model, the equality between man and woman, the creation a public school free for all and under control and financiament of the state, the ampliament and modernization of the present factories, introduction of the male suffrage for the man under the age of 21 and who can write and read, the creation of a sewer system in the main cities of the republic and the creation of a new cantrast for the lands, in this way for give a piece of land at the farmers, for the land the price was keep law, for favorite the sell at the farmers.
All this reform have grown the economy of the Italian Republic of the 10% in just one year, and for their position it was near at that of the more industrialized Kingdom of Italy.
For the armed forces it was decide of introduce the conscription for a service of 1 years when the boys reach the 18 years old, but it was also give the option of pay a tax for don't send their in the military, like it was in the old regime.
The 6th June of the 1861 Camillo Benso, count of Cavour and prime minister of the Kingdom of Italy died, this caused by a illness, his successor, Bettino Ricasoli, proclaim the funeral of state for Cavor, many head of states and of government have participate at this funeral, Mazzini, the president of the Italian Republic participate with Giuseppe Garibaldi and Nino Bixio.
Brigants or Rebels ? []
With the formation of the new state in the ex-Kingdom of the Two Sicilies many people, specially the farmers and the ex-soldiers of the Bourbonic Army was angry and frustrated in the confront of the new state, for being invaded by foreign peoples and have change forever their life, this hostility in the confront of the republic was supported mainly in Calabria, Lucania, Molise, Campania and Abruzzi.
At the started most of this bands was formed by irregular member of the Army of the Two Sicilies who have served at Gaeta or at Civitella del Tronto, this bands with their knowledge of the territory and with the support of the local population they was a match for the republican government, so at the first the government try to increase the public found in what was the most poor part of the republic, but even with this the bands was supported by the Church and by Nobles, with the support also of the labors (Zappaterra), the most knowing enemy of the republic was Carmine Crocco. who was an ex-soldiers of the Two Sicilies and after a Garibaldino who have even fight on the Voltruno, but when he say what was in reality the republic he left the Southern Army and form a band in the Aspromonte, Crocco reclute various notable members of his band, like Ninco Nanco, Teodoro Gioseffi and others.
With his band he attack the military of the National Guard, the policeman, liberals, republicans and pillaging town and cities in the search of gold and other kind of treasures, he have also killed civilians only for thief there, the government then decide to use the strong hand again this bandits, the parliamentary Giuseppe Pica have proposed at the government and at the parliament his law for shoot down this bandits, the law was voted in favor by the right and by the extreme right, but it was opposed by the left and extreme left, it was then signed by the prime minister Liborio Romano and by the president Giuseppe Mazzini, so the Law Pica enter in vigor the 10th June of the 1862, this law give the possibility at the military to use military tribunals for the civilian, the arrest of every suspect person and the use of the death penalty, this was was applied only in the Province of Cosenza, Avellino, Caserta, Aquila and Campobasso and in the region of the Basilicata.
Many politics have accuse this Pica and the government of be assassins and people without any morals, and of fragment the republic, with the creation of special laws, the government have say that this was necessary for bring stability and order in the most poor part of the republic, but at the end this rebellions was crack down, with 5000 for death penalty, 4050 arrest and the secure of the insort provinces, more family at the end would eventually emigrate info the United States or South America for started a new life, from the 1862 to the 1865 over 2 million of people, in most part of the lower class left the country for seek a better future.
A new era of peace and prosperity []
After the end of the fight at the "Brigantaggio" the Republic would faced a economic rise that give prosperity, work and modernization at the republic, the literate of the law and law-medium class, the creation of a colonial empire and the first problems with the Mafia, in the 1865 the government have to face the first epidemic of cholera in the city of Catania, the government then decide to build hospitals, sewers, water pumps, cobbled streets, pavements and with a creation of a law that obligate the creation of a bathroom with washbasin, water, tub and all collegate to the water system and for the country house the obligation of don't live in the the area used to housing of farm animals, in this way in the republic the death from infectious diseases and dirt decreased by 95%.
In the 1863 a revolt started in the Congress Poland again the Russian Empire, the revolt himself was called the June Revolt, many Polish republicans have go in exile in the Italian Republic, see as a safe heaven by the European Republicans, so many Poles and many Italians would go in Poland for fight again the Russian, after a year of fight again the Russian Army Warsaw was take by the revolutionary army and then the Russian Empire asked for a treaty, the Treaty of Vienna make it end at the June Revolt and established the First Polish Republic, the Russians would leave the territory of the Congress of Poland at the Polish in return of don't attack or go in war again the Russia, the first state at recognize the Polish Republic as sovereign nations was the Italian Republic, the relations between the Italian Republic and the First Polish Republic was good and alweys friendly. Mazzini have say about this revolt ; "E' una gioia immensa vedere un popolo in arme che si ribella contro lo straniero al fine di autogovernarsi."
At the end of the Third War of Independence, fight by the Kingdom of Italy and by the Kingdom of Prussia again the Austrian Empire the Italian forces even if defeated at Lissa and Custoza would be rewarded with the Veneto and Friuli, now what would remain under foreign control was Rome and Naples, after this victory many republicans and nationalist have do congratulations at the Kingdom of Italy for have take Venice.
The 7th September of the 1867 the President of the Republic Giuseppe Mazzini end his term as head of state, then after, it was nominate Giuseppe Natoli President lf the Republic, ex-baron of Messina and Italian patriot, and under his mandate the parliament elected Francesco Crispi as prime minister of the republic.
One of the first act of Crispi was that of create a law that delete the noble titles and their privileges, but this bring something riots and tensions between the government and the nobility, at the end the tensions ended and the nobility accept this situation, after this many nobles would become merchants, bankers, industrialists and businessmen.
The ships Caio Duilio, this ironclad battleship was the buttonhole and flagship of the Italian Navy during the 1875 and the 1885, this ship have also provoked much dismay and fear of the Italian Navy, and also many protest, in primis by the Kingdom of Italy.
Under the Crispi's government the armed forces was modernize with the introduce of the rifle Vetterli-Vitali in the 1870 and the revolver Lefaucheux Mle 1858, this provide at the armed forces a more modern equipment, also under his mandate the navy was expanded with the construction of cruisers, battleships, battleships frigates, battleships corvette and other model of ships, and also with the modernization of the most recent ships build by the ex-Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, this give prestige at the Italian Republic as they become a maritime power in so few time and work in the shipyards of Castellammare di Stabbia, Naples, Augusta, Palermo, Bari and Pescara, a total of 30-50 ships was build between the 1867 and the 1872, and the number of the ships in the Italian Navy rise at 196 ships, this allow also a more large and modern merchant fleet.
With the open of the Suez Channel in the 1869 the republic would become a link between the Asia and Europe, but also even North America, as the Italian Republic and the Kingdom of Italy are in the centre of the Mediterranean Sea and for the income of new goods in a more fast and secure way, thus thanks to the merchant fleet, one of the most big of Europe, but this bring also problems, why the Italian fleet was a treat and fear at the Royal Navy and at the Marine National, feeling scared for a such huge fleet that can block their dominance of the Mediterranean.
New things happened in the 1870, the most important events was two; The Franco-Prussian War and the Liberation of Rome
During the spring of the 1870 the Italian Government, after a discussion in the parliament over the idea of create a colony in a small territory, one of the most value options came from Antonio Starabba, the foreign minister of the government Crispi, his idea was take of take a small archipelago or a group of islands that aren't of any economical or strategic interest by any great power, and from there annexed the near land.
The idea was accepted very well by the parliament and by the government himself, for the 1st April of the 1870 a corvette of the Italian Navy with sailors and soldiers will sail from the port of Naples and navigate until they would reach the Maldives islands, a relatively small archipelago and near to the British India, the 25th April of the same year the corvette arrive in the Maldives and started to annex the west and south part of that, with also plunting of Italian flags, and creation of military outpost for consolidate their new possediments, a first provisional administrative center for the Colony of the Maldives was created in the isle of Fuvahmulah, according by the natives, the new centre was created in a pre existed village where a group of European merchants and missionaries was located, with the help of the missionaries the Italians was able to create a dialogue with the local population, anyway the new centre and later capital of the Maldives until the 1875, the new city was called "Sicula" for the origin of the crew.
The Franco-Prussian war started in the summer of the 1870, when the chancellor Bismarck with the Ems Dispatch, who was modified by the Prussians for be attacked by the French, and so it was, in July the French Empire declare war on the Prussian Kingdom, it was realized soon that the French Army would be defeated by the more efficient Prussian Army, and in six months the war over in favor of the Prussia, even if the Italian Republic stay neutral in this war many republicans and ex-Garibaldini lead by Garibaldi would join in the French Army, during the war the German North Confederation and the other south kingdoms united themselves in the German Empire, this new but strong nations would dominate Europe in the next decades.
In the September of the 1870 the Italian Royal Army, lead by Raffaele Cadorna, attack the Lazio and the city of Rome, home of the Pope and Rome was take only in one day, after this the Kingdom of Italy annex the Lazio with a Plebiscite, and the capital was moved in Rome, the Pope would be a prisoner in the Vatican until the 1929, when the Italian Republic ended the formal hostility between Italy and Vatican, also after this the Pope proclaim at the catholic of don't take part at the politics in the Kingdom of Italy, but in the Italian Republic this wasn't applied as they don't have attack Rome or what remain of the Papal State, the government of the Italian Republic have see this act as the end of the Risorgimento and have congratulated with the government of the Kingdom of Italy for this, also the citizens of the Italian Republic was in joy for this.
Other this with the ended of the Papal State the relations between the Kingdom of Italy and the Italian Republic was reestablished, with the open of an embassy in Naples and one in Rome, also with this event the King Vittorio Emanuele II visit the city of Naples, accompanied by the president of the republic, the king was welcomed by the southern population with cheers for the King, for the national unity and also for the liberty of the people, but some groups of republicans protest again the visit of the King.
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