Nation Information: Difference between revisions
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The entrance of Joseph Bonaparte into Naples at the head of the French Armée de Naples on February 15th, 1806, marked the beginning of a new era in the far-flung southern corners of Italy. Following the atrocities of the counter-revolution in 1799, the entrance of the enlightened Bonapartist ruler to the capital years later was accepted generally well by the middle and upper classes, and even the troublesome lazzaroni remained quiet on this occasion. Notwithstanding the protests of the clergy, Joseph assumed his official role as King and head of state on the 30th of March by decree of his younger brother, the Emperor. With Joseph’s arrival to Naples also came a tidal wave of French military and civil officials, seeking to enrich themselves on the vast amounts of material wealth in the country. | The entrance of Joseph Bonaparte into Naples at the head of the French Armée de Naples on February 15th, 1806, marked the beginning of a new era in the far-flung southern corners of Italy. Following the atrocities of the counter-revolution in 1799, the entrance of the enlightened Bonapartist ruler to the capital years later was accepted generally well by the middle and upper classes, and even the troublesome lazzaroni remained quiet on this occasion. Notwithstanding the protests of the clergy, Joseph assumed his official role as King and head of state on the 30th of March by decree of his younger brother, the Emperor. With Joseph’s arrival to Naples also came a tidal wave of French military and civil officials, seeking to enrich themselves on the vast amounts of material wealth in the country. | ||
Fortunately for Joseph, he was not completely alone in the task of reforming and reshaping the old and conservative structure of the Neapolitan Kingdom; on his side presented themselves many capable men, veterans of the French Revolution like Saliceti, Roederer, Dumas and Miot, and insiders to Neapolitan politics such as the Duke di Gallo or Michele Cianciulli who proved themselves ready to set in motion the cogs of reform to an enthusiastic population. While strained under the effort of upkeeping the French troops in the area, the new government soon began to form in a clear way. | Fortunately for Joseph, he was not completely alone in the task of reforming and reshaping the old and conservative structure of the Neapolitan Kingdom; on his side presented themselves many capable men, veterans of the French Revolution like Saliceti, Roederer, Dumas and Miot, and insiders to Neapolitan politics such as the Duke di Gallo or Michele Cianciulli who proved themselves ready to set in motion the cogs of reform to an enthusiastic population. While strained under the effort of upkeeping the French troops in the area, the new government soon began to form in a clear way. | ||
[[File:Ritratto di Giuseppe Bonaparte.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Joseph Bonaparte as King of Naples, by Costanzo Angelini.]] | |||
The Ministries of Police and the Interior were among the first to be set up, with Saliceti and Miot appointed as their respective heads. On 3 March the French authorities appointed Police Commissars in each district, supported by Inspectors of police and a force of Gendarmes. The Commissars were given powers to arrest suspected enemies of the state, to impose censorship, control and inspect the mail, issue licenses for carrying firearms, regulate all public meetings, markets, and fairs, and in particular to detain all ‘vagabonds, beggars and unknown persons’. Soon, the Commissariat was also being purged of former royalists. | The Ministries of Police and the Interior were among the first to be set up, with Saliceti and Miot appointed as their respective heads. On 3 March the French authorities appointed Police Commissars in each district, supported by Inspectors of police and a force of Gendarmes. The Commissars were given powers to arrest suspected enemies of the state, to impose censorship, control and inspect the mail, issue licenses for carrying firearms, regulate all public meetings, markets, and fairs, and in particular to detain all ‘vagabonds, beggars and unknown persons’. Soon, the Commissariat was also being purged of former royalists. | ||
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Overall, however, it can be judged that Joseph-Napoléon’s reign as King of Naples was a largely successful one. While it did not eradicate the brigandage (this would only come with Manhès’s brutal suppressions of 1811), his rule successfully introduced the enlightened policies of the Empire without meeting nor causing any major social opposition in the upper classes, as was the case in the days of 1799. Joseph’s administration set the stage for the expansion of the Army and the creation of a sense of patriotic sentiment for the Neapolitans, while also salvaging the economy and establishing the Kingdom’s position as a major zone of Imperial influence in Italy. While not loved as dearly by his subjects as Murat, the Bonaparte Prince proved to be a capable and cool-headed administrator, who performed precisely what was expected of him by his brother and raised few objections through his directing of the Kingdom’s affairs. [[References:Joseph Bonaparte's Kingom|References]] | Overall, however, it can be judged that Joseph-Napoléon’s reign as King of Naples was a largely successful one. While it did not eradicate the brigandage (this would only come with Manhès’s brutal suppressions of 1811), his rule successfully introduced the enlightened policies of the Empire without meeting nor causing any major social opposition in the upper classes, as was the case in the days of 1799. Joseph’s administration set the stage for the expansion of the Army and the creation of a sense of patriotic sentiment for the Neapolitans, while also salvaging the economy and establishing the Kingdom’s position as a major zone of Imperial influence in Italy. While not loved as dearly by his subjects as Murat, the Bonaparte Prince proved to be a capable and cool-headed administrator, who performed precisely what was expected of him by his brother and raised few objections through his directing of the Kingdom’s affairs. [[References:Joseph Bonaparte's Kingom|References]] | ||
[[Joseph Bonaparte's Reign in Naples]] | |||
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Latest revision as of 13:54, 15 March 2024
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