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The unification of Italy – the Risorgimento

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.

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The unification of Italy – the Risorgimento

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  1. The unification of Italy – the Risorgimento Piedmont takes the lead 1852 - 60

  2. Victor Emmanuel II

  3. 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

  4. 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.

  5. How did Cavour modernise Piedmont – Sardinia?

  6. 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

  7. Getting foreign help

  8. 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

  9. 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?)

  10. 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!

  11. Napoleon gets cold feet! • Things moving too fast! • Carnage of war • Prussia mobilising on the Rhine! • Napoleon makes peace with Austria - Villafranca

  12. 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!

  13. 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!

  14. Then Garibaldi steps in May 1860

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