Savoy's annexation to France (1792)

The annexation of Savoy to France occurred in 1792, during the French Revolution. Savoy, then part of the Kingdom of Sardinia (also known as Piedmont-Sardinia), had been politically and culturally distinct from France, though it shared linguistic and geographic ties. The annexation was driven by a combination of revolutionary fervor, expansionist ambitions, and internal revolutionary sentiment within Savoy itself.

Following the French Revolution in 1789, revolutionary ideas spread beyond France's borders. Savoyard revolutionaries, influenced by these ideas, began advocating for union with France. France, under the National Convention, saw Savoy as a strategically important territory, offering access to the Alps and potentially providing a buffer zone against other European powers.

In September 1792, French troops, led by General Montesquiou, entered Savoy without significant resistance. A plebiscite was organized by the French, though its fairness and legitimacy are disputed by some historians. The plebiscite reportedly showed overwhelming support for annexation. On November 27, 1792, the National Convention in Paris formally declared Savoy to be part of France, creating the département of Mont-Blanc.

The annexation of Savoy was a significant event in the expansion of revolutionary France and a precursor to further territorial acquisitions during the Napoleonic era. While initially welcomed by some Savoyards who embraced revolutionary ideals, French rule was not without its challenges. The region was subjected to French laws and institutions, and it also became involved in the broader conflicts of the Napoleonic Wars.

Savoy remained part of France until 1815, following Napoleon's defeat. The Congress of Vienna restored Savoy to the Kingdom of Sardinia, marking the end of French control for several decades. This annexation is a key event in the complex history of Savoy and its relationship with both France and Italy.