Republic of Bergamo facts for kids
The Republic of Bergamo (in Italian, Repubblica Bergamasca) was a short-lived state created on March 13, 1797. It was set up by the French army during the time of the French Revolution. This new republic was meant to govern the city of Bergamo and its surrounding area. It appeared as the old Republic of Venice was falling apart.
France and Austria had made an agreement called the Treaty of Leoben. This agreement decided that the long rule of Venice over the land between the Adda River and Oglio River would end. Austria would also take over Istria and Dalmatia.
The city of Bergamo was called the "mother-municipality." It had to help create other "dependent-municipalities" in the nearby countryside. Soon after, the Republic of Bergamo became part of the Cisalpine Republic, which was formed on June 29, 1797.
Contents
How the Republic Was Created
French soldiers, led by General Bareguey, arrived in Bergamo on Christmas Day in 1796. They entered without a fight. The Venetian leader, Count Ottolini, had agreed to let the Venetian troops leave.
On March 12, 1797, the Republic of Bergamo was officially announced. Count Ottolini was threatened with arrest, so he left for Brescia. A new local government was then chosen, made up of 24 people. They also started to form a small army.
Just two days later, the new Republic voted to join the Cispadane Republic. The symbols of Venice were taken down from the city walls. A "tree of liberty" was put up in Piazza Vecchia, the main square, and also in other parts of the city. This tree was a symbol of freedom and revolution.
The Rules of the Republic
On March 24, 1797, the rules for the Republic of Bergamo were approved. These rules were like a constitution.
The new government divided the land into different areas called cantons. If a place wanted to become a town, its citizens would meet in a church. With the local priest's help, they would choose a representative. These representatives from all the towns in a canton would then pick three permanent members for the canton's local government. Once they met in Bergamo, they would show their agreement to the new government and bring a list of their chosen representatives.
The main government of Bergamo itself was made up of twenty-four members. On April 17, 1797, people who could vote gathered in churches to choose their representatives.
How the Land Was Divided
The Republic of Bergamo was split into 14 main areas, called cantons. Each canton contained several towns:
- City of Bergamo
- Canton of Almenno
- Canton of Alzano
- Canton of Calepio
- Canton of Caprino
- Canton of Clusone
- Canton of Endine
- Canton of Gandino
- Canton of Martinengo (including towns like Bolgare, Calcinate, Cavernago, Cividate, Cortenuova, Fara Olivana, Ghisalba, Malpaga, Martinengo, Mornico, Palosco, Romano, Telgate)
- Canton of Piazza
- Canton of Ponte
- Canton of Seriate
- Canton of Verdello (including towns like Albegno, Arcene, Bariano, Boltiere, Ciserano, Cologno, Colognola, Comun Nuovo, Curnasco, Grumello del Piano, Lallio, Levate, Lurano, Mariano, Morengo, Osio Sopra, Osio Sotto, Pognano, Sabbio, Sforzatica, Sforzatica di Oleno, Spirano, Stezzano, Treviolo, Verdello Minore, Urgnano, Verdello)
- Canton of Vilminore
- Canton of Zogno
Challenges to the New Republic
In some valleys, especially the Imagna Valley, people started to resist the new Republic. They saw the Republic as being against religion. In these areas, local priests had a lot of influence and encouraged people to stay loyal to the Venetians. However, this resistance was put down within about a month.
Around this time, stories also began to spread about the adventures of a famous bandit named Pacì Paciana.
The End of the Republic
After only about three months, the Republic of Bergamo came to an end. With the Treaty of Campo Formio, it became part of the larger Cisalpine Republic. It was then known as the Department of Serio within that new state.
See also
- Fall of the Republic of Venice
- French client republic
- Transpadane Republic
- Cisalpine Republic
|
