Kingdom of Italy (disambiguation) facts for kids
The Kingdom of Italy usually refers to the country of Italy between 1861 and 1946. During this time, Italy was a monarchy, meaning it was ruled by a King. This period began when different parts of Italy came together to form one united country. It ended after World War II, when the people of Italy voted to become a Republic, which is a country ruled by elected officials instead of a king.
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The Kingdom of Italy (1861–1946)
This Kingdom of Italy was formed in 1861. Before this, Italy was made up of many smaller states. Leaders like Giuseppe Garibaldi and Camillo Cavour worked hard to unite these states. This process is known as the Risorgimento, or "Resurgence." It was a time when Italians wanted to be one nation.
The Kingdom was ruled by the House of Savoy, a royal family. The first king was Victor Emmanuel II. The capital city became Rome in 1871.
Life in the Kingdom
During this period, Italy grew and changed a lot. It became an industrial country, especially in the north. Many people moved from the countryside to cities to find work.
Italy also became involved in international politics. It joined the Triple Alliance before World War I. Later, it fought in both World War I and World War II.
The End of the Monarchy
After World War II, Italy faced many challenges. The war had caused a lot of damage. In 1946, the Italian people held a vote. They decided whether Italy should remain a monarchy or become a republic. The majority voted for a republic. This meant the end of the Kingdom of Italy. The last king, Umberto II, left the country. Italy then became the Italian Republic we know today.
Other Kingdoms of Italy
The name "Kingdom of Italy" has been used many times throughout history. It can be a bit confusing because different states used this name. Here are some of the other historical kingdoms that were called "Kingdom of Italy":
- Odoacer's Kingdom (476–493): This was a kingdom ruled by a Germanic leader named Odoacer. It existed shortly after the fall of the Western Roman Empire.
- Ostrogothic Kingdom (493–553): This kingdom was established by the Ostrogoths, another Germanic people. They ruled Italy after Odoacer.
- Kingdom of the Lombards (568–774): The Lombards were a Germanic tribe who invaded Italy. They set up their own kingdom that lasted for over 200 years.
- Kingdom of Italy (Holy Roman Empire) (800–1806): This was a part of the Holy Roman Empire. It covered much of northern and central Italy for many centuries.
- Kingdom of Italy (Napoleonic) (1805–1814): This kingdom was created by Napoleon Bonaparte. He was the Emperor of France. It was a short-lived state under French influence.
See also
In Spanish: Reino de Italia para niños
- King of Italy
- History of Italy
- List of historic states of Italy
