Carlo Sforza facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Count Carlo Sforza
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| President of the Chamber of Deputies | |
| In office 25 September 1945 – 1 June 1946 |
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| Preceded by | Vittorio Emanuele Orlando |
| Succeeded by | Giuseppe Saragat |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs | |
| In office 2 February 1947 – 19 July 1951 |
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| Prime Minister | Alcide De Gasperi |
| Preceded by | Pietro Nenni |
| Succeeded by | Alcide De Gasperi |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 24 January 1872 Lucca, Kingdom of Italy |
| Died | 4 September 1952 (aged 80) Rome, Italy |
| Political party | Italian Republican Party (1946-1952) |
| Alma mater | University of Pisa |
Count Carlo Sforza (born January 24, 1872 – died September 4, 1952) was an important Italian diplomat and anti-fascist politician. He played a key role in Italy's government before and after World War II, especially in foreign affairs.
Contents
Life and Career of Carlo Sforza
Early Life and Family Background
Carlo Sforza was born in Lucca, Italy, on January 24, 1872. He was the second son of Count Giovanni Sforza, a well-known historian. His family, the House of Sforza, was very old and famous in Italy. They were descendants of a branch of the Dukes of Milan, who ruled a powerful state centuries ago. When his older brother passed away in 1936, Carlo inherited the title of Count.
Starting a Diplomatic Career
After studying law at the University of Pisa, Carlo Sforza began working as a diplomat in 1896. This meant he represented Italy in other countries. He worked in many important cities around the world, like Cairo, Paris, Constantinople, and Beijing. He learned a lot about international relations and different cultures.
In 1905, he became a chargé d'affaires in Bucharest. This is a diplomat who takes charge of an embassy when the main ambassador is away. Later, he worked in Madrid and again in Constantinople, where he saw the Young Turk Revolution, a big political change. He also worked at the Italian embassy in London.
Witnessing Global Changes
From 1911 to 1915, Sforza was sent back to Beijing. During this time, he saw the end of the Chinese Empire, known as the Xinhai Revolution. He helped Italy deal with the new Chinese government.
Carlo Sforza believed Italy should join the Allies in World War I. From 1915 to 1919, he served as ambassador in Corfu to the Serbian government, which was in exile during the war.
Becoming Foreign Minister
After World War I, Carlo Sforza became Italy's foreign minister under Prime Minister Giovanni Giolitti. In 1921, he signed the Rapallo Treaty. This treaty recognized the important port city of Fiume as a free city. This decision was not popular with some nationalist groups in Italy. He worked to end a conflict in Fiume led by the poet Gabriele D'Annunzio. He remained foreign minister until July 1921.
Opposing Fascism and Exile
In February 1922, Sforza became the ambassador to France. However, he resigned just nine months later, in October, when Benito Mussolini and his Fascist party came to power in Italy. Carlo Sforza strongly disagreed with Mussolini's Fascist government. He became a leader of the anti-fascist opposition in the Italian Senate.
Because of his strong opposition, he was forced to leave Italy in 1926. He lived in exile in Belgium, his wife's home country, and later in France. During this time, he wrote books and articles explaining why Fascism was dangerous and criticizing those who supported it. He became a leading voice for Italians who opposed Fascism from outside Italy.
Return to Italy and Post-War Role
When Germany occupied France in 1940, Sforza moved to England and then to the United States. There, he joined other anti-fascist Italians. In 1942, he attended a conference in Uruguay where he proposed a plan for Italy to become a liberal democratic republic after the war. His ideas were well-received.
After Italy surrendered in September 1943, Carlo Sforza returned home. In June 1944, he joined the new anti-fascist government. In 1946, he became a member of the Italian Republican Party.
Shaping Italy's Future in Europe
From 1947 to 1951, Carlo Sforza served again as foreign minister. He strongly supported the European Recovery Program, which helped rebuild Europe after the war. He was a firm believer in Italy working closely with other European countries. Along with Alcide De Gasperi, he helped lead Italy into the Council of Europe.
On April 18, 1951, he signed the treaty that created the European Coal and Steel Community. This was a very important step towards the creation of the European Union we know today, making Italy one of its founding members.
Count Carlo Sforza passed away in Rome in 1952, leaving behind a legacy of dedicated service to Italy and a strong belief in European unity.
Family Life
On March 4, 1911, Carlo Sforza married Countess Valentine Errembault de Dudzeele et d'Orroir in Vienna. She came from an old and respected Belgian noble family.
Carlo and Valentine had a daughter, Fiammetta (born in Beijing in 1914), and a son, Count Sforza-Galeazzo Sforza (born in Corfu in 1916). Their son later became a Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe.
Honors and Awards
Carlo Sforza received many important honors for his service:
Images for kids
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Carlo Sforza in 1921.
See also
In Spanish: Carlo Sforza para niños
