The Cispadane Republic (Repubblica Cispadana) was a short-lived republic located in Northen Italy, founded in 1796 with the protection of the French army, led by Napoleon.

On 16 October 1796, a congress held in Modena, formed by rapresentatives from the provinces of Modena, Bologna, Ferrara and Reggio Emilia. The congress was unofficially organized by Napoleon, who was to start a war in central Europe, and needed to settle the situation in Italy and gather new troops. The congress stated the four provinces had formed the Repubblica Cisalpina, and invited other Italian populations to join them. A civic guard, composed by mounted hunters and artillery, was formed. In the 7 January 1797 session, the congress decided to form a government; the flag was a horizontal tricolour, with red (top), white and green stripes; in the middle, an emblem composed by a quiver, accolade to a war trophy, with four arrows that symbolized the four provinces forming the Republic, all within a crown of bay.

On 9 July, the Cispadane Republic joined the Transpadane Republic to form the Cisalpine Republic.

See also

Historical states of Italy