Victor Emmanuel II of Italy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Vittorio Emanuele II |
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Victor Emmanuel II
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| King of Italy | |||||
| Reign | 17 March 1861 – 9 January 1878 | ||||
| Predecessor | Napoleon (1814) | ||||
| Successor | Umberto I | ||||
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| King of Sardinia; Duke of Savoy | |||||
| Reign | 23 March 1849 – 17 March 1861 | ||||
| Predecessor | Charles Albert | ||||
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| Born | 14 March 1820 Palazzo Carignano, Turin, Piedmont-Sardinia |
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| Died | 9 January 1878 (aged 57) Quirinal Palace, Rome, Italy |
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| Burial | Pantheon, Rome | ||||
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| House | Savoy | ||||
| Father | Charles Albert of Sardinia | ||||
| Mother | Maria Theresa of Austria | ||||
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Victor Emmanuel II (born March 14, 1820 – died January 9, 1878) was a very important king. He was the King of Sardinia from 1849. Then, on March 17, 1861, he became the first King of a united Italy. This was a huge deal because Italy had not been a single country since the 6th century! He ruled as King of Italy until he died in 1878.
People in Italy called him "Father of the Homeland" (Italian: Padre della Patria). Victor Emmanuel was born in Turin, at the Palazzo Carignano. He was born as a Prince, and he became ruler of the Kingdom of Sardinia when his father stepped down from the throne.
Contents
Becoming King of Sardinia
Victor Emmanuel II became the King of Sardinia on March 23, 1849. This happened after his father, Charles Albert of Sardinia, gave up his crown. His father had fought in a war against Austria and lost.
Uniting Italy
Victor Emmanuel II played a key role in uniting Italy. This process is known as the Risorgimento, which means "The Resurgence" or "The Revival." Many people wanted Italy to be one country, not many small states.
Working with Cavour
Victor Emmanuel worked closely with his Prime Minister, Count Cavour. Cavour was a very smart politician. Together, they made plans to bring all the different parts of Italy together under one rule. They used both diplomacy (talking with other countries) and military force to achieve this.
Key Events in Unification
- Wars of Independence: Sardinia fought several wars against Austria. These wars helped to free Italian lands from Austrian control.
- Garibaldi's Help: A famous general named Giuseppe Garibaldi led an army of volunteers. They helped to conquer southern Italy, including Sicily and Naples. Garibaldi then gave these lands to Victor Emmanuel II.
- Rome Becomes Capital: In 1870, the city of Rome was finally added to Italy. It became the capital city. This completed the unification of Italy.
Titles and Styles
Victor Emmanuel II had different titles throughout his life:
- 1820 – 1849: He was known as His Highness Prince Vittorio Emanuele of Savoy.
- 1849 – 1861: He became His Majesty The King of Sardinia.
- 1861 – 1878: He was known as His Majesty The King of Italy.
Images for kids
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Portrait of Victor Emmanuel II by Giuseppe Ugolini
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Tomb of Victor Emmanuel II in the Pantheon
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Victor Emmanuel II in Venice
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Brooklyn Museum – Caricature of King Victor Emmanuel II – Thomas Nast – overall
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Victor Emmanuel II in 1849
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See also
In Spanish: Víctor Manuel II de Italia para niños
