The unification of Italy – the Risorgimento Piedmont takes the lead

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 ( )  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 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 PPiedmontese army mobilised AAustria demands this stops AAustria declares war! FFrance sends 200,000 troops BBattles at Magenta and Solferino R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