History Italian irredentism in Savoy

the italian unification process done loss in 1860 of savoy province of kingdom of sardinia. savoy located northwest in map, on upper left corner

giuseppe garibaldi complained referendum allowed france annex savoy , nice, , group of followers (between italian savoyards) took refuge in italy in following years. 99.8% vote in favour of joining france, there allegations of vote-rigging

some opposition french rule manifest when, in 1919, france officially (but contrary annexation treaty) ended military neutrality of parts of country of savoy had been agreed @ congress of vienna, , eliminated free trade zone - both treaty articles having been broken unofficially in world war i. france condemned in 1932 international court noncompliance measures of treaty of turin, regarding countries of savoy , nice. indeed, in 1871 strong break away movement appeared in north , central savoy against annexation. republican committee of town of bonneville considered 1860 vote, result of imperial pressure, , not free demonstration of of our country , called new referendum: france sent 10,000 troops savoy restore order.

in kingdom of italy founded after 1861 associazione oriundi savoiardi e nizzardi italiani , association of italian savoyards lasted 1 century until 1966.

during fascist period in 1940s, organizations created promoted unification of savoy kingdom of italy. fascist members 1 hundred in 1942, concentrated in grenoble , chambéry.

when italy occupied savoy in november 1942 these fascist groups claimed 10,000 savoyards demanded unification italy, nothing done because king of italy opposed it.

after world war ii organizations of irredentist savoyards outlawed french authorities of charles de gaulle.

most of remaining irredentist savoyards supported in 1950s , 1960s development of autonomistic political organizations of savoy, mouvement région savoie (savoy regional movement).

italian-occupied savoy

the parts of savoy under italian control highlighted in green

only in 1940 did italian savoyards fulfilled irredentism, , small areas bordering alps annexed italy. initial zone 832 km² , contained 28,500 inhabitants.

in november 1942, in conjunction case anton , german occupation of of vichy france, royal italian army (regio esercito) expanded occupation zone. italian forces took control of grenoble, nice, rhône river delta, , of savoy.

a process of italianization of schools in savoy started, never implemented. few italian savoyards voluntarily enrolled in italian army through fascist organizations camicie nere, of them rejoined resistance , fought against invaders.

most of irredentist savoyards helped actively jews in occupied zone in savoy, region acted refuge jews fleeing persecution in vichy france during world war ii.

the projects unify savoy kingdom of italy supported fascist savoyards of grenoble, nothing done because in september 1943 nazi germany substituted italy in occupation of savoy.