Resumen de L’ultima stagione del riformismo borbonico in Sicilia e l’opera di Lodovico Bianchini
The long reign of Ferdinando II Borbone (1830-1859) begins with intense reform activity, characterized by the desire to restore the relationship with Sicily. For this purpose, Ferdinando II appointed his brother Leopoldo, Count of Siracusa, as lieutenant general while he restored the Ministry of Sicilian Affairs. The insurrections in eastern Sicily in 1837 marked a turning point, and were followed by a return to a centralized political and administrative system. However, the reforming process continued. In fact, Lodovico Bianchini, an important Neapolitan economist and author of the Storia delle finanze del Regno di Napoli, was sent to Sicily to improve the administrative structure: this led to many important economic reforms, especially in agriculture. Some of these measures met with hostility from local notables who felt they threatened their affairs. From 1837 onwards, the relationship between the notables and the monarchy progressively deteriorated.
