The unification of Italy – the Risorgimento
Piedmont takes the lead
1852 - 60
Victor Emmanuel II
Piedmont-sardinia became the focal point of nationalists hopes
1852 Cavour becomes Prime Minister
Wanted to be rid of Austrian influence in Italy and extend the power of Piedmont.
He was certain this could never be achieved without foreign help
Cavour had learned the lessons from 1848
Italia fara da sa? No! Help would be needed to unify Italy Piedmont KEPT it’s constitution – the
statuto. Piedmont had fought for Italy. It became the focus for nationalist hopes for the future.
Piedmont needed to be modernised to take advantage of her leading position.
How did Cavour modernise Piedmont – Sardinia?
Piedmont-Sardinia is modernised Developed the Piedmont political system –
constitution (granted 1848)
- educated elite in control of government and parliament
- support from the centre of politics –gave him power to manoeuvre
Built solid economic foundations – trade, agriculture, industry, banking, communications
Position of church weakened
Getting foreign help
Getting foreign support
Crimean war (1854-56) Piedmont joins on side of Br and Fr Peace conference – Paris 1856
Makes personal contacts with Napoleon III
Cavour aims to get French help against Austria
Napoleon III gets involved
Orsini assassination attempt 1858 Secret meeting at Plombières 1858 - France to get Nice and Savoy - Austria to made to look the aggressor - France would help in war. - Pope to preside over confederation in
central Italy - Piedmont to get Lombardy and Venetia
(why not all Italy?)
War 1859
Piedmontese army mobilised Austria demands this stops Austria declares war! France sends 200,000 troops Battles at Magenta and Solferino Revolts followed in Central Duchies and
Papal States – ask for Piedmont to protect them!
Napoleon gets cold feet!
Things moving too fast! Carnage of war Prussia mobilising on the Rhine! Napoleon makes peace with Austria -
Villafranca
Villafranca 1859
Lombardy ceded to France who then passed it to Piedmont.
Venetia remains Austrian Central Duchies to be restored to their
rulers Victor Emmanuel had to accept this Cavour furious – resigned!
Things could not be stopped in Italy
Central Duchies & part of Papal States – the Romagna, would not accept their old rulers back.
Jan 1860 – Cavour back as PM Offered Napoleon Nice and Savoy in
return for central Italy. Plebiscites arranged – March 1860 Piedmont takes over the centre!
Then Garibaldi steps in
May 1860
