Kingdom of Italy

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The Kingdom of Italy (Original: Regno d'Italia) was the state which preceded the Italian Republic and existed from 1861 when King Victor Emmanuel II of Sardinia was proclaimed King of Italy, until 1946, when a referendum was held to choose whether to mantain the Monarchy or become a Republic. Following a positive result for Republicans, the Monarchy was forced out of the country. The state was founded as a result of the unification of Italy under the influence of the Savoy Family-led Kingdom of Sardinia, which is considered the legal predecessor state.

Wars

Italy declared war on Austria in alliance with Prussia in 1866 and was ceded the region of Veneto following their victory. Italian troops entered Rome in 1870, thereby ending more than one thousand years of Papal temporal power and temporarily eliminating completely the Papal States from the map. Afterwards, it entered into a Triple Alliance with the German Empire and Austria-Hungary in 1882, following strong disagreements with France about their respective colonial expansions, particularly in Africa. However, even if relations with Berlin became very friendly, the alliance with Vienna remained purely formal as the Italians were keen to acquire Trentino and Trieste, corners of Austria-Hungary populated by Italians.

World War One

During World War I, Italy accepted the British invitation to join the Allied Powers, as the western powers promised territorial compensation - which consisted of Tyrol, Trieste, Dalmatia, parts of modern day Slovenia and parts of modern day Bosnia - for participation that was more generous than Vienna's offer in exchange for Italian neutrality. Victory in the war gave Italy a permanent seat in the Council of the League of Nations, leaving however most of the italian populace dissatisfied. Italy was given a much smaller territory than was promised, its wounded remained largely excluded from civilian life (whether from illness - mental or physical -, the economy, politics or factors unrelated to the war provoked by a 4 years absence), soldiers received very little compensation, widows received no help by the State, the economy was suffering heavily and communist agitators were causing chaos, particularly in Northern Italy.

This culminated in the rise of Fascist ideology, the conquest of Fiume, the rise as a political figure of Gabriele D'Annunzio and a stronger belief in "Trenchocracy", a belief held by soldiers which supported a bigger role for them in all aspects of life. Moreover, much of the following Fascist - but not exclusively - symbology derived from World War I's experience, such as the Arditi's Totenkopf or the "Boia Chi Molla!" exclamation.

Fascist Italy

"Fascist Italy" is the rebuilding period of Italian history, led by the National Fascist Party's government for over 20 years from 1922 to 1943 with Benito Mussolini as head of government. The Fascists brought important and beneficial reforms, amongst which rebuilding Italy, whilst also promoting economic modernization, traditional social values and a rapprochement with the Roman Catholic Church through the Lateranensi Pacts. The Fascist government passed through several relatively distinct "phases":

The first phase (1923 – 1925)

The First Phase could be seen as a continuation of the parliamentary system, characterized by a gradual increase in the importance of the figure of the Duce and Fascism as a whole within Italy. This period also included the start of the "Leggi Fascistissime" (Super-Fascist Laws) and a growing conflict between Squadristi and both the antifascist opposition and the Party.

The Second Phase (1925 - 1936)

Following the First Phase, came the "Glory Days" from 1925 to 1936 - analogous to the "Peace Years" of National Socialism from 1933 to 1939. This phase saw the peak of approval among the public for the Duce and a gradual "hardening" of the regime: Squadrismo stopped, the opposition was forced either in exile or underground, most Gerarchi reached their positions, most institutions and laws which would go on to define Fascist Italy were created and implemented and, at the very end of the period, there was the Liberation of Ethiopia, which would go on to define the quasi-decade most of all.

The Third Phase (1936 - 1940)

The third phase saw a significant strenghtening and normalization of international relations. The Steel Pact grew to become the Axis and National Socialism became a significant influence on italian politics, leading to the approval of the Racial Laws. Military spending grew, particularly because of the Third Reich's pressure to prepare for war, which was delayed thanks to Mussolini's diplomatic miracle at the Czechoslovakia partition talks. This period saw the declining influence of the Duce within the country, the "atrophy" of the Party (which lost all importance) and the rise in importance of various Gerarchi. The period ended with the enter of Italy in the Second Brothers War.

The Fourth Phase (1940 - 1943)

Italy was an important member of the Axis powers in Second Brothers War, battling on several fronts with initial success. However, after the defeat in Africa, the failures on the Eastern Front and the subsequent Allied Invasion of Sicily, King Victor Emmanuel III had Mussolini impeached, leading to him leaving office peacefully, creating general chaos within the country. This culminated with the birth of the Italian Social Republic.

The Fifth Phase (1943 - 1945)

The Badoglio government signed an armistice in September 1943, despite promising to keep fighting together with the Third Reich. Italian Fascists, together with their German Allies, immediately occupied Northern Italy, setting up the Italian Social Republic, a state still led by Mussolini (following his liberation) and other diehard Fascists. As a consequence, the country descended into Civil War, with both parties supported by their Allies. This Phase finished following the American Occupation of Europe in 1945.

Post-war Era

Shortly after the war and the occupation of the country, the Monarchy was terminated. Victor Emmanuel and all other members of the House of Savoy fled the country, taking refuge in Egypt, where they were welcomed with great honour by King Farouk.

Victor Emmanuel died in Alexandria a year later, under mysterious circumstances.