Kingdom of Italy (Napoleonic)

Quick Facts: Who was Kingdom of Italy (Napoleonic)?

Subject:

Kingdom of Italy (Napoleonic)

Known for:

A Napoleonic client state in Northern Italy, established by Napoleon I.

Born:

1805-03-17

Century / Era:

1805s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Kingdom of Italy (Italian: Regno d'Italia; French: Royaume d'Italie) was a kingdom in Northern Italy (formerly the Italian Republic) that was a client state of Napoleon's French Empire. It was fully influenced by revolutionary France and ended with Napoleon's defeat and fall. Its government was assumed by Napoleon as King of Italy and the viceroyalty delegated to his stepson Eugène de Beauharnais. It covered some of Piedmont and the modern regions of Lombardy, Veneto, Emilia-Romagna, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Trentino, South Tyrol, and Marche. Napoleon I also ruled the rest of northern and central Italy in the form of Nice, Aosta, Piedmont, Liguria, Tuscany, Umbria, and Lazio, but directly as part of the French Empire (as departments), rather than as part of a vassal state.

Career & Major Achievements

At its peak, the kingdom covered 84,000 square kilometers and had a population of 6.5 million. The Kingdom of Italy was born on 17 March 1805, when the Italian Republic, whose president was Napoleon Bonaparte, became the Kingdom of Italy, with the same man (now styled Napoleon I) as the new King of Italy and his 24-year-old stepson Eugène de Beauharnais as his viceroy. Napoleon I was crowned at the Milan Cathedral, Milan on 23 May, with the Iron Crown of Lombardy. His title was "Emperor of the French and King of Italy" (French: Empereur des Français et Roi d'Italie, Italian: Imperatore dei Francesi e Re d'Italia), showing the importance of this Italian kingdom to him. Even though the republican constitution was never formally abolished, a series of Constitutional Statutes completely altered it.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The first one was proclaimed two days after the birth of the kingdom, on 19 March, when the Consulta declared Napoleon I as king and established that one of his natural or adopted sons would succeed him once the Napoleonic Wars were over, and once separated the two thrones were to remain separate. The second one, dating from 29 March, regulated the regency, the Great Officials of the kingdom, and the oaths. The most important was the third, proclaimed on 5 June, being the real constitution of the kingdom: Napoleon I was the head of state and had the full powers of government; in his absence, he was represented by the Viceroy, Eugène de Beauharnais. The Consulta, Legislative Council, and Speakers were all merged into a Council of State, whose opinions became only optional and not binding for the king. The Legislative Body, the old parliament, remained in theory, but it was never summoned after 1805; the Napoleonic Code was introduced on 21 March 1804.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1805 (1805-03-17): Birth of Kingdom of Italy (Napoleonic) — A Napoleonic client state in Northern Italy, established by Napoleon I.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Kingdom of Italy (Napoleonic)

True or False: “The Kingdom of Italy was never directly influenced by revolutionary France during its existence.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The kingdom was fully influenced by revolutionary France and operated as a client state of Napoleon's French Empire.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Kingdom of Italy (Napoleonic)