Bonaparte et les Républiques Italiennes (1796-1799)

In the turbulent years of the late 1790s, the French general’s swift advance across the Italian peninsula upended centuries‑old monarchies and sparked an extraordinary burst of political experimentation. The author follows the storm of battles and the quieter, often overlooked negotiations that gave rise to five short‑lived republics, beginning with the bold creation of the Cisalpine Republic in the Milanese heartland. Readers discover how soldiers, merchants, scholars and aristocrats each tried to shape a new order amid the chaos of war.

Through vivid accounts of street festivals, heated debates in provisional councils, and the uneasy balance between radical and moderate forces, the narrative reveals how Napoleon’s presence—whether direct or through trusted deputies—still weighed heavily on every decision. The book also paints the lingering Austrian dominance and the simmering Italian desire for autonomy that fueled both hope and resistance. By the close of this first act, the stage is set for further upheavals that will test the durability of these fledgling republics.