Contemporary history in Elba

With the Congress of Vienna, the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, including Elba, was again assigned to the Lorena, still in the person of Ferdinand III, and within a few years the French administrative system was dismantled and the Tuscan one was introduced.

At the outbreak of the First War of Independence, the Tuscan islands, including Elba, were mainly used as places of imprisonment for the enemies of the state. In 1860, the Island of Elba was also united with the Kingdom of Italy, but it was deprived of the exemptions and privileges granted by the Grand Duke and underwent a severe economic depression.

During the last two great wars, the strategic position and the opportunity to produce weapons and ammunition thanks to its iron resources were the main reasons for the logistical interest of European armaments.

Evidence of this are the tunnels between Procchio and Biodola, the firing positions of Capo Poro, the actual military structures with barracks and powder magazines of Capo Enfola, the Semaphores of Chiessi and Monte Grosso.

With the outbreak of the First World War, the steelworks of Portoferraio assumed strategic importance and greatly accelerated production; many workers were exempted from military service. Apart from the significant number of deaths in battle, the only event directly affecting Elba occurred on May 23, 1916, when an Austro-German submarine torpedoed the blast furnaces of Portoferraio, causing serious damage and casualties and the sinking of the steamship Washington off the island of Palmaiola.

The end of World War I concluded with a toll of 374 Elban soldiers killed in action.

The dawn of World War II was a dramatic historical period, which saw the establishment of the first fascist squads, during which, however, no particular episodes of violence were recorded. Until the end of the war, Elba was not directly involved in the wartime events that were shaking the rest of Italy. The armistice of September 8, 1943 with the Anglo-Americans made the island's position difficult in the conflict.

The situation worsened on the morning of September 16 with the first German bombing of Portoferraio, followed by the immediate occupation of the island by the Reich's troops.

The following nine months were marked by numerous tragic events, such as the sinking off Nisportino of the steamship Andrea Sgarallino, with the death of about 300 civilians, and the continuous bombings by the Allies on the city of Portoferraio. During that period, the Elbans experienced the violence, hunger, and degradation that war entails.

The task of driving the Germans from the Island of Elba, entrusted to the French army, was called Operation Brassard (June 17–20, 1944). During the four days of fighting, the losses among the civilian population were numerous, and the Allied government, which replaced the Germans, found Elba in conditions of extreme severity.

The main means of sustenance on the island had been destroyed, the houses were damaged, and the maritime connections were completely cut off. For part of the Elban population, there was nothing left but to emigrate, while others, thanks to the benefits of the Cassa per il Mezzogiorno, were able to build the first hotels, campsites, and beach resorts.

This marked the beginning of the period of valorization and reconstruction of the Island of Elba and the success in international tourism.