Cisalpine Republic

The Cisalpine Republic (Italian: Repubblica Cisalpina) was a French client republic in Northern Italy that lasted from 1797 to 1802.

The Cispadane Republic, the Transpadane Republic and the province of Novara were merged by the French general Napoleon Bonaparte, and the Cisalpine Republic was created on June 29, 1797, with capital Milan. The Cisalpine Republic consisted of roughly the former Duchy of Milan, those portions of the Republic of Venice west of the Adige River, the Duchy of Modena, the Papal Legations, and the Piedmontese province of Novara. The first president (Director) was Serbelloni. On October 10 1797, Valtellina revolted against the Grisons, and joined the republic.

On May 11 1798, the Cisalpine Republic adopted as its flag a square Tricolore.

The republic was occupied by Austrian forces in 1799, and restored June 2 1800 after the Battle of Marengo. In January 1802, the Cisalpine Republic changed its name to the Italian Republic, becoming later the Kingdom of Italy (1805 – 1814).

The state was divided, following the French system, into the following departments:

• Adda (capital Sondrio)
• Agogna (capital Novara)
• Upper Po (capital Cremona)
• Lower Po (capital Ferrara)
• Crostolo (captal Reggio Emilia)
• Cario (capital Como)
• Mella (capital Brescia)
• Mincia (capital Mantova)
• Olona (capital Milan)
• Panaro (capital Modena)
• Reno (capital Bologna)
• Rubicon (capital Cesena)
• Serio (capital Bergamo)

See also: Cisalpine Gaul