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Kingdom of Italy

The Kingdom of Italy (Italian: Regno d'Italia, Italian: [ˈreɲɲo diˈtaːlja]) was a state that existed from 17 March 1861, when Victor Emmanuel II of Sardinia was proclaimed King of Italy, until 12 June 1946, when the monarchy was abolished, following civil discontent that led to an institutional referendum on 2 June 1946, which resulted in a modern Italian Republic. The kingdom was established through the unification of several states over a decades-long process, called the Risorgimento. That process was influenced by the Savoy-led Kingdom of Sardinia, which can be considered Italy's legal predecessor state.

This article is about the Kingdom of Italy (1861–1946). For other uses, see Kingdom of Italy (disambiguation).

Kingdom of Italy
Regno d'Italia (Italian)

Rome

 

Parliament (1861–1943)
National Council (1945–1946)

 

17 March 1861

3 October 1866

20 September 1870

20 May 1882

26 April 1915

28 October 1922

22 May 1939

27 September 1940

25 July 1943

2 June 1946

250,320 km2 (96,650 sq mi)

310,190 km2 (119,770 sq mi)

21,777,334

42,993,602

1939 estimate

151 billion
(2.82 trillion in 2019)

Lira (₤)

In 1866, Italy declared war on Austria in alliance with Prussia and, upon its victory, received the region of Veneto. Italian troops entered Rome in 1870, ending more than one thousand years of Papal temporal power. In 1882 Italy entered into a Triple Alliance with the German Empire and the Austro-Hungarian Empire, following strong disagreements with France about their respective colonial expansions. Although relations with Berlin became very friendly, the alliance with Vienna remained purely formal, due in part to Italy's desire to acquire Trentino and Trieste from Austria-Hungary. As a result, Italy accepted the British invitation to join the Allied Powers during World War I, as the western powers promised territorial compensation (at the expense of Austria-Hungary) for participation that was more generous than Vienna's offer in exchange for Italian neutrality. Victory in the war gave Italy a permanent seat in the Council of the League of Nations, but it did not receive the territories it was promised.


In 1922, Benito Mussolini became prime minister of Italy, ushering in an era of National Fascist Party government known as "Fascist Italy". Totalitarian rule was enforced, crushing all political opposition while promoting economic modernization, traditional values, and territorial expansion. In 1929, the Italian government reconciled with the Roman Catholic Church through the Lateran Treaties, which granted independence to the Vatican City. That same year, Italy began consolidating its colonial gains and initiated a policy of genocide in Libya during its pacification of the country. The following decade presided over an aggressive foreign policy, with Italy launching successful military operations against Ethiopia in 1935, Spain in 1937, and Albania in 1939. This led to economic sanctions, departure from the League of Nations, growing economic autarky, and the signing of military alliances with Germany and Japan.


Fascist Italy entered World War II as an Axis Power in 1940 and despite initial success, was defeated in North Africa and the Soviet Union. Allied landings in Sicily led to the fall of the Fascist regime and the new government surrendered to the Allies in September 1943. German forces occupied northern and central Italy, established the Italian Social Republic, and reappointed Mussolini as dictator. Consequentially, Italy descended into civil war, with the Italian Co-belligerent Army and resistance movement contending with the Social Republic's forces and its German allies. Shortly after the surrender of all fascist forces in Italy, civil discontent prompted an institutional referendum, which established a republic and abolished the monarchy in 1946.

supreme commander of the Italian Royal Army, Navy and later Air Force from 1861 to 1938 and 1943 to 1946

King of Italy

supreme commander of the Italian Royal Army, Air Force, Navy and the Voluntary Militia for National Security from 1938 to 1943 during the Fascist era, held by both Victor Emmanuel III and Benito Mussolini

First Marshal of the Empire

(Royal Italian Army)

Regio Esercito

(Royal Italian Navy)

Regia Marina

(Royal Italian Air Force)

Regia Aeronautica

(Voluntary Militia for National Security also known as the "MVSN" or "Blackshirts") – militia loyal to Mussolini during the Fascist era, abolished in 1943.

Milizia Volontaria per la Sicurezza Nazionale

A machinery exposition in Turin, set in 1898, during the period of industrialization, National Exhibition of Turin, 1898

A machinery exposition in Turin, set in 1898, during the period of industrialization, National Exhibition of Turin, 1898

An advertisement for the 4HP automobile by FIAT in 1899

An advertisement for the 4HP automobile by FIAT in 1899

In memory of the workers that died mining the Simplon Tunnel. Next to the Iselle di Trasquera railway station 29 May 1905.

In memory of the workers that died mining the Simplon Tunnel. Next to the Iselle di Trasquera railway station 29 May 1905.

Coat of arms used from 1861 to 1870

Coat of arms used from 1861 to 1870

Coat of arms used from 1870 to 1890

Coat of arms used from 1870 to 1890

Coat of arms used from 1890 to 1927

Coat of arms used from 1890 to 1927

Coat of arms used from 1927 to 1929

Coat of arms used from 1927 to 1929

Coat of arms used from 1929 to 1944

Coat of arms used from 1929 to 1944

Coat of arms used from 1944 to 1946

Coat of arms used from 1944 to 1946

Unification of Italy

Proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy

History of the Kingdom of Italy (1861–1946)

House of Savoy

List of prime ministers of Italy

Military history of Italy during World War I

Military history of Italy during World War II

Roman question

Italian Empire

(archived 11 July 2009)

Axis History Factbook– Italy

(archived 11 December 2008)

Mussolini's War Statement – Declaration of War against USA, 11 December 1941

(archived 4 October 2008)

Declaration of War on France and The United Kingdom, 10 June 1940