Guglielmo Pepe Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Guglielmo Pepe

Born	13 February 1783 Squillace
Died	8 August 1855 (1855-08-09) (aged 72) Turin
Allegiance	Kingdom of Naples (1804-48),
Rank	Brigadier General
Battles/wars	Peninsular War (1808–1813), Battle of Tolentino (1815), Siege of Venice (1848)

Guglielmo Pepe (born February 13, 1783 – died August 8, 1855) was a brave Italian general and a true patriot. He fought for Italy's freedom and a more modern government. He had a brother named Florestano Pepe and a cousin named Gabriele Pepe.

Who Was Guglielmo Pepe?
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Who Was Guglielmo Pepe?

Guglielmo Pepe was born in Squillace, a town in Calabria, Italy. He joined the army when he was young. In 1799, he joined the Neapolitan Republic. This was a new government in Naples, inspired by the ideas of the French Revolution.

He fought against the Bourbon troops. These were soldiers loyal to the old kings. Their leader was Cardinal Ruffo. Pepe was captured and sent away to France. In France, he joined Napoleon's army. He fought well in many battles. He served in the Neapolitan kingdom under Joseph Bonaparte and later under Joachim Murat.

Fighting for a Constitution

After fighting in the Peninsular War, Pepe returned to Italy in 1813. He was now a general. He helped to organize the Neapolitan army. When Napoleon lost power in 1814, Pepe and other generals tried to make Murat agree to a constitution. A constitution is a set of rules for how a country is governed. They hoped this would save the kingdom from being taken over by other countries. It would also stop the old Bourbon kings from returning.

When Napoleon escaped from Elba in 1815, Murat decided to fight with him. Pepe joined Murat's army. They fought against the Austrians. After some battles, the Neapolitans had to retreat. This happened after the Battle of Tolentino, where Pepe fought. They signed a peace agreement called the Treaty of Casalanza. Murat had to leave the kingdom. But the Neapolitan officers, like Pepe, kept their military ranks. This was under Ferdinand IV, who became king of Naples again.

The Carbonari and the 1820 Revolution

Pepe was working to stop crime in a region called Capitanata. While doing this, he secretly organized a group called the Carbonari. This group wanted a more liberal government. He hoped the king would give the people a constitution. When the king did not, Pepe thought about capturing important leaders. These leaders were Emperor Ferdinand of Austria and Metternich. They were expected in Avellino. Pepe wanted to force them to bring a liberal constitution to Italy in 1819. This plan did not work out.

However, in 1820, a military uprising began. The soldiers shouted for the king and a constitution. Pepe was sent to stop them. But he decided to join them instead. King Ferdinand then promised a constitution in July 1820. A revolt in Sicily was stopped. Pepe was then made inspector-general of the army.

Exile and Return

King Ferdinand did not really want to keep his promise about the constitution. He went to the Congress of Laibach. There, he met with other powerful rulers. He left his son in charge. The king got an Austrian army to help him regain full power. Pepe, who had spoken in favor of removing the king, took command of the army. He marched against the Austrians. He attacked them at Rieti in March 1821. But his new soldiers were pushed back.

Pepe's army slowly broke apart. He then spent many years living in other countries. He lived in England and France. He wrote books and papers about politics. He also stayed in touch with the Carbonari.

The 1848 Revolution

When the 1848 revolution started across Italy, Pepe returned to Naples. A constitution had been promised again. He was given command of the Neapolitan army. This army was supposed to work with Piedmont against the Austrians.

However, when Pepe reached Bologna, the king changed his mind. The king called Pepe and his troops back. Pepe had a difficult choice. He wanted to fight for Italy's freedom. But he had also sworn loyalty to the king. He decided to leave the Neapolitan army. He crossed the Po with 2,000 volunteers. He wanted to join the fight for Italy.

After much fighting in Venetia, he joined Manin in the siege of Venice. He took command of the army defending the city. The city had to surrender to the Austrians because of hunger. Pepe and Manin were among those who were not forgiven by the Austrians.

Guglielmo Pepe went into exile again. He died in Turin in 1855.

Writings

Relazione delle circostanze relative agli avvenimenti politici e militari in Napoli nel 1820 e 1821 [...] (1822)
Memorie (1847)
L'Italie politique et ses rapports avec la France et l'Angleterre (1848)
Casi d'Italia negli anni 1847, 48 e 49 : continuazione delle memorie del generale Guglielmo Pepe (1851)