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The House of Lorraine and Tuscany
The House of Lorraine ruled over the Grand Duchy of Tuscany from 1737, when the Medici descendant (Gian Gastone) died, to its annexation to the Italian Kingdom.
The House of Lorena comes from France, from the Lorraine region in North-East France. In 1589 Ferdinando I de' Medici marries Cathrine of Lorraine, daughter of Charles III Grand Duke of Lorraine. This the beginning of the long and lasting bound tided up between Tuscany and this important family. In 1737 the House of Lorraine takes the power with Francis Stephen when the last descendant of the Medici family dies with no heirs.
At his death in 1765 Tuscany passes to his son Peter Leopold, who has been an enlighten politician. When he becomes Emperor in 1790, his son Ferdinand III takes the power. He is forced to leave the Grand Duchy during the French occupation and come back after the Congress of Vienna in 1815. The last Grand Dukes of Lorraine is Peter Leopold II. He rules till 1859, when he abdicates because of Tuscany's annexation to Italian Kingdom.
The Lorraine's Grand Dukes, as well as the Medici, has played an important role in Tuscany's growth and success. They have been notable and famous figures really caring for this region. But above all they have been great patrons and brilliant politicians, making Tuscany an example for the rest of Europe.
The Grand Dukes of Tuscany
The first Grand Duke of Tuscany is Francis Stephen of Lorraine, named also Francis II, who takes the power at Gian Gastone dei Medici's death in 1737. Married to Maria Theresa of Hasburg, he rules over Tuscany from Vienna. In fact he isn't interested in being the Grand Duke, since he prefers the Viennese court. He stays in Florence just for a while and devolves power to a representative council.
When he suddenly dies in 1765, Tuscany passes to his second son Peter Leopold (Leopold II). Differently from his father, he decides living in Florence to better ruling Tuscany. He is a brilliant politicians, who makes many important reforms, bringing the Grand Duchy of high prosperity as an example for the rest of European states. Among the most important reforms are introduction of a rational system of taxation, the reorganization of public administration, the abolition of death penalty and the execution of profitable public works, such as the drainage of Valdichiana and Maremma and the construction new roads, giving strong impulses to agriculture and liberal trades.
Peter Leopold is a brilliant administrator and a great patron. He founds many museums, schools and academies, such as the Georgofili Academy, and renews the universities of Pisa and Siena.
In 1790 he becomes the Holy Roman Emperor when his brother Joseph II dies. He abdicates in favor of his son Ferdinand III. It is a very difficult moment in history, because we are in the at the beginning of French Revolution. Even though he tries to assume a neutral position, Tuscany is invaded by French troupes in 1799. He escapes to Vienna and comes back to Florence in 1814 after Napoleon's defeat and the Congress of Vienna. His return is acclaimed from Florentine and Tuscan people.
Ferdinand III politics is characterized by tolerance: he doesn't make any retaliation against people and maintains most of French laws. He starts important public works, such as new roads and aqueducts, and continues the drainage of Maremma and Valdichiana, till his death in 1824.
The Grand Duchy of Tuscany passes then to his son Peter Leopold II, who has been really beloved by Tuscans because of his mild character and his informal attitude. He demonstrates to be different from other administrators and to care about Tuscany and its people. In fact he reduces right away the tax on meat. He also commits in great public works, such as the enlargement of Livorno's seaport, drainage of Maremma (people from Grosseto loved him so much to build a monument for him in Piazza Dante) and he starts the first tourism activities.
Peter Leopold II is also known for his tolerance for intellectuals and artists, that have been exiled as Giacomo Leopardi, Alessandro Manzoni, Niccolò Tommaseo and Guerrazzi. He is in power till 1859 when he abdicates because of Independence's riots, that are taking place in Italy at that time.
Tuscany passes to his son Ferdinand IV, who never really takes the power. He is the virtual and last Grad Duke of Tuscany till 1860 when Tuscany is annexed to the Kingdom of Italy.
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