# Ministry of the Navy

> Italian government agency (1861–1947)

**Wikidata**: [Q124382006](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q124382006)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ministry_of_the_Navy_(Italy))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ministry-of-the-navy

## Summary

The Ministry of the Navy was an Italian government agency responsible for naval affairs that existed from 1861 to 1947. It was established following the unification of Italy and functioned as the central administrative body overseeing the Italian Navy until its dissolution. The agency falls under the classification of a government agency, specifically dealing with transportation and national defense matters.

## Key Facts

- **Entity Type:** Government agency
- **Country:** Italy
- **Operational Period:** 1861–1947
- **Wikipedia Title:** Ministry of the Navy (Italy)
- **Wikipedia Language:** English
- **Wikidata Description:** Italian government agency (1861–1947)
- **Instance Of:** Government agency
- **Sitelink Count:** 1 (Wikidata reference count)
- **Related Classification:** Organizational part of government responsible for specific public services, including transportation

## FAQs

**What was the Ministry of the Navy in Italy?**

The Ministry of the Navy was an Italian government agency that operated from 1861 to 1947, serving as the primary administrative body for naval affairs and the Italian Navy during the Kingdom of Italy period.

**When did the Ministry of the Navy exist?**

The Ministry of the Navy existed from 1861, following the unification of Italy, until 1947, covering the entire period of the Kingdom of Italy and ending shortly after World War II.

**What type of organization was the Ministry of the Navy?**

The Ministry of the Navy was classified as a government agency, specifically falling under the category of organizations responsible for public services including transportation and national defense.

**What is the Wikipedia reference for this entity?**

The entity is documented on English Wikipedia under the title "Ministry of the Navy (Italy)" with the wikidata description "Italian government agency (1861–1947)."

## Why It Matters

The Ministry of the Navy represents a significant chapter in Italian governmental history, serving as the central authority for naval administration during a crucial period of Italian state formation and development. Its existence from 1861 to 1947 encompasses the entirety of the Kingdom of Italy's lifespan, making it a foundational institution in Italy's modern administrative structure. The ministry played a vital role in building, maintaining, and operating Italy's naval forces through periods of peace, conflict, and reconstruction. Understanding this agency provides essential context for studying Italian military history, governmental organization, and the development of Italy as a Mediterranean power. The dissolution of the ministry in 1947 marked a significant transformation in Italian governmental structure following World War II, reflecting broader changes in post-war Italy.

## Notable For

- **Historical Duration:** Operated for 86 years, spanning the entire Kingdom of Italy period
- **Foundational Role:** Established at the moment of Italian unification, making it one of the original ministries of the newly unified Italian state
- **Naval Administration:** Served as the central governing body for Italy's naval forces throughout two World Wars
- **Institutional Longevity:** Survived through major historical events including the Italian wars of independence, World War I, the Fascist period, and World War II

## Body

### Historical Context

The Ministry of the Navy was established in 1861, coinciding with the proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy. This period marked the unification of the Italian peninsula under the House of Savoy, creating the need for centralized governmental institutions to manage the new nation's affairs. As a maritime nation with significant coastal territories and strategic Mediterranean interests, Italy required a dedicated governmental body to oversee naval operations, shipbuilding, naval personnel, and maritime defense policies.

### Organizational Function

As a government agency classified under the broader category of organizations responsible for public services, the Ministry of the Navy functioned as the administrative hub for all naval-related governmental functions. This included oversight of the Regia Marina (Royal Navy), management of naval bases and infrastructure, coordination of shipbuilding programs, administration of naval personnel, and development of naval strategy and policy.

### Temporal Significance

The agency's existence from 1861 to 1947 places it at the center of Italian history during a transformative period. The ministry was active during the Italian wars of independence, the colonial expansion period, World War I, the Fascist regime under Mussolini, and World War II. Its dissolution in 1947 reflected the post-war reorganization of Italy, including changes to governmental structure and the demilitarization of certain state functions following Italy's defeat in World War II.

### Classification and Documentation

The Ministry of the Navy is documented as an instance of a government agency, with a wikidata description specifically identifying it as an "Italian government agency (1861–1947)." The entity has been referenced in knowledge bases with a sitelink count indicating its documentation in structured data systems, specifically appearing in English Wikipedia under the title "Ministry of the Navy (Italy)."