Italian Empire (Minor)

The Italian Empire is a puppet state of The Imperium. However, they are the most autonomous of the Imperium's puppets and still hold large amounts of Africa and some parts of the Balkan States. At the 1960 Start Date, the Italian Empire is led by King Umberto II. The Country was formerly led by Imperial Governor Benito Mussolini who was the De-Facto Head of State from 1941-43 with Umberto II as a Ceremonial Position. Since The Fascist Spring Revolts in 1943, Italy has been solely led by Umberto II

## Italian Empire (Minor)

### **Head of Government**

Formerly* Benito Mussolini (As Imperial Governor of Italy) (1941-43)
* Position Abolished

### **Established**

1st December 1941 - End of Italian War of Conquest

## History

The Italian Empire was officially formed on the 1st of December 1941 following an Imperium Conquest of Italy and The Balkan Region during The Invasion of The Soviet Union. Prior to this, The former Kingdom of Italy, led by Benito Mussolini, was aligned with Nazi Germany and fought against the allies joining the war in 1939 after the Invasion of The USSR. The Italians were pushed by the Anglo-American forces in Piedmont and the Italian Army lost Piedmont which put Italy at threat from invasion. However the invasion of Italy was halted due to The Imperium's advance in 1941. The Allied Forces then made a peace deal with the Italian Empire where the UK gave Italy Sudan and parts of British North Africa temporarily in return for Italian Neutrality. Savoy went to France during the deal.

After the fall of France and surrender of the Allies, The Imperium approached the Italians about an Alliance against the Free Atlantic States. The Fascists and Monarchists within Italy wanted to join the Alliance whereas the Democratic Parties wished to join a Faction with the Free Atlantic States. The minority Communists in Italy wanted to join the UEAS. After some brief political violence, The Fascists and Monarchists came out on top. The Imperium during this time began preparing for an invasion of Italy to secure Imperiumist Power.

When The Italian Government contacted The Imperium in 1941, The Imperium demanded subjugation or conquer. The Italian Government was in a frenzy but The Imperium invaded anyway. After a successful annexation of the Balkans, Italy surrendered and lost some northern territories, but The Imperium was impressed that the Italians did put up a fight so granted them lands in Africa and allowed them to keep their Empire as an Imperium Puppet State with the King as *De-Jure* Head of State and Mussolini as Imperial Governor of Italy (*De-Facto* Head of State).

In 1943, Mussolini was executed ,after the Fascist Spring Revolts supplied by Mussolini ,and The King of Italy was given full power over Italy but still under the command of The Emperor. However, 4 Years After Emmanuel III received complete control, He Would Die of Natural Causes and His Son, Umberto II would ascend to the throne in 1947. He has ruled since then.

## Situation

The Italian Empire is a economically stable but is Politically Split. The Italian Nazi Party and The Italian Fascist Party have been violently marching and calling for a Return of an Italian Empire free from The Imperium. They believe Italy has become Weak under The Imperiumists and The Imperium have robbed Italy of their Glory. In Southern Italy, The Sicilian Uprisings have been threatening to dissolve Italy with an Independent Fascist Sicily under Valeriano Lo Galbo, a Sicilian Fascist Terrorist. His "*Sicilian National Front* " have been causing issues in Southern Italy which must be dealt with before The Uprising Occurs and Sicily becomes Independent. On top of this, King Umberto II is dying and a successor must be chosen before the Nation breaks out into Civil War. The Defence of the Mediterranean remains the Number One Priority for Italy and they have plans to request Imperian Land to Fulfil a True Defence of the Med for The Security of Italy and The People of Europe and Africa.

### Economy

The Italian Economy is very Stable and they have become a Trade Hub in the Mediterranean. The Imperium and Pax-Europa ,which the Italian Empire was a founder of, trade with Italy for their Oil Reserves and Natural Resources found in the Italian Africa Colonies. The Italian Empire ,along with most of the Imperian Realm, have bounced back from the Great Depression of 1929 and are on a Trend of Moderate Growth.

### Military

The Italian Armed Forces remain the Second Strongest Force in Continental Europe, next to The Imperium. The Italians are by no means a push over nation and can steadily take on foes.

The Royal Italian Army is strong in Numbers and Fiercely Loyal. The Italian High Command is very experienced and many Generals fought in The Invasion of The Soviet Union. These Generals have transformed The Italian Military into a potent fighting force.

The Italians also boasts a Large and highly efficient Marine Corps called the "Royal Italian Marine Corps" or "Regio Corpo dei Marines Italiani". The RIMC have been described as the finest amphibious combat soldiers in the world. They have fought in nearly all of Italy's Conflicts such as in the Fascist Spring Revolts and as advisory staff in the War of The Pacific. They work in tandem with the Royal Italian Navy and the Army

The Royal Italian Navy is one of the best Naval Powers in the World. The Navy has a focus on the Defence of the Mediterranean which is also followed by Italian High Command and The King. The Navy has bases all over Africa and Italy. They boast a Larger Carrier Force than The Imperium but they have many old ships still in use which are in need of Modernization. The Royal Italian Navy and Army stretch from the Alps to The Indian Sea and their Grip over the Colonies of Italy have kept the Italian Empire together.

### Colonies

The Italian Colonial Situation is very much stable. Their Colonial Holdings Sweep from Tunisia to Somalia and boast a Formidable Colonial Empire. These Lands were given to Italy by The Allies in 1940 as a peace deal and The Imperium allowed the Italians to keep their Land as a sign of Good Will. While resistance exists throughout Italy's large colonial holdings, it is nowhere near the extent of what happens in the Imperial African Territories and in the Union of East Asian Soviets. Italian colonial authorities prefer discussion and compromise with local authorities as opposed to mindless repression, and Italian governors are known for either their warm attitude towards the natives or their diplomatic skills at keeping peace through subtle means. While extremists, fanatics and terrorists still exist, the majority of Italy's colonial subjects can be said to at least tolerate Italian rule. The Italian Overseas Corp even recruits Natives to Defend The Italian Colonial Holdings.

### Diplomacy

The Italian Empire remains an Imperium Puppet Government but They Act almost Independently. Many within Italy, including Italian Imperiumists, believe Italy should be an Independent Nation. Some are split between staying Allies with The Imperium or Leaving Entirely. The INP (Italian Nazi Party) and IFP (Italian Fascist Party) want a restoration of a True Italian Empire where the Imperiumists and Monarchists want a Imperian-Italian Alliance with Italy as a free Nation.

At the same time, the Italian Empire is considered by many as the only European country with an army capable of resisting the Imperial War Machine in the event of an Italian Revolutionary War, especially considering that the Italian core lands are protected by the Alps, an almost impenetrable natural barrier, and the natural nemesis to the unstoppable Imperial Armoured Divisions.

However, The Italian Empire is still affected by the Peace Treaty of Paris which forbids the Free Atlantic States from trading with Italy and interacting in Diplomacy. The Italians hold a claim to Catalonia in Spain and Wish to Invade Spain to prevent a Fascist Iberia. This Policy is disliked by The Imperium who wish to stay out of Spain and assist the Imperium of Spain when needed.

### Italian Civil War

Should The King Die Without a Successor (Via Direct Choice or Mission Timeout), The Country will be plunged into Civil Violence with 3 Italian Groups claiming legitimacy as Rulers of Italy. Ciano and His Nazis rise up in Naples, Achille Lauro and his Communists rise up in Venice, Milan and Switzerland and the Provisional Government of Italy under Imperiumism maintains control of the rest of the country. In the South Lo Galbo's Sicilian Independence movement declares Independence and begins fighting the 3 Italian Claimants. The Most Likely Candidate to Win is The Provisional Government who can complete a focus giving them a new focus tree to rebuild Italy and either stay independent and select a new leader or re-join the Imperium with an Imperian Leader (CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE)

### National Spirits

* Civilian Factory Construction Speed: **+15.00%**

 PNI Aggression
* Factory Output **-10.00%**

 Defenders of The Med
* Naval Air Attacks From Carriers **+5.00%**
* Coastal Fort Construction Speed: **+15.00%**

 King Umberto II
* Daily **Imperiumist** Support **+5.00%**

King Umberto II Inherited the Italian Throne after His Father's Death in 1947 who brought Italy glory post-Italian War of Conquest and avenged the countries prior humiliations at the hands of Mussolini's Fascists. in his later years, The King has fallen ill. It is believed he may die soon, as such we must start preparations for a Successor.