Transpadane Republic
The Transpadane Republic was a short‑lived French client state in northern Italy, based in Milan. It existed from 1796 to 1797 during the Napoleonic era.
After the French army defeated the Austrians at the Battle of Lodi on 10 May 1796, Milan was occupied and Napoleon set up a temporary administration for Lombardy. This created a new republic across the Po River (hence “Transpadane,” meaning across the Po). Napoleon proclaimed the republic on 21 May 1796, but its decisions needed the approval of the French military commander.
The government had four departments: religion and culture; transport and engineering; finance and taxes; and trade and commerce. The administration was given full civil powers on 29 October 1796, though it remained under French control.
As Napoleon won more battles, the republic expanded. In April 1797, France invaded Venice and moved east from the Adda to the Oglio. On 19 May 1797 Napoleon added Modena’s lands to Milan from the neighboring Cispadane Republic. Finally, on 29 June 1797 he proclaimed the birth of the Cisalpine Republic, which ended the Transpadane Republic.
Preceded by the Duchy of Milan; Succeeded by the Cisalpine Republic.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 16:36 (CET).