K. of Italy

Quick Facts

Official Name: Kingdom of Italy

Government Type: Absolute monarchy

Conflicts: Second Colonial Wars, Holy Roman Invasion of France (Both Pre-AltWorld), Italian Collapse

Years Active: 1761 - 1812

Preceded By: Papal States, Sicily, Venice, Tuscany, Lombardy, Sardinia, France, Byzantium (All Pre-AltWorld)

Succeeded By: France, Ottoman Empire, Italian Legion

History

The Kingdom of Italy was formed thanks to the unification of several Italian kingdoms, listed above. The unification process started when threats of invasion from France, the Byzantines, and Austria caused talks of unifying Italy to begin. Last time Italy was unified was all the way back in Ancient Rome. Sardinia, Lombardy, and Venice formed the Kingdom of Italy, while the Papal States defended its independence. Sicily agreed to join if the unified kingdom went to war with the Byzantines to unify the entire peninsula, which would happen 10 years later. The Papal States joined directly after Sicily, but demanded that they control part of Rome, which was to be the new capital.

During the Holy Roman Invasion of France was Italy's time to prove itself. It declared war on France and took some border territory, but the Byzantines declared war on the Italians to try and topple the new unified kingdom, but lost its territory on the peninsula, as well as some northern African lands, to Italy instead.

Italy would remain a powerful Mediterranean force for several years to come, colonizing Libya as well, but as time progressed, the kings of Italy progressively seemed weaker and weaker. Due to this, and low national morale, as well as the fear of disasters such as economic or food crises, the nation fell into anarchy (Italian Collapse). Within the year, a new leader was installed by force, who proclaimed the Italian Legion.