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Piedmont’s Development in the 1850s

Piedmont’s Development in the 1850s. Political developments: Retained Statuto (liberal constitution) given by King Charles Albert in 1848. As a result, Piedmont became a magnet for people wishing to live in a more liberal state, including many prominent intellectuals.

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Piedmont’s Development in the 1850s

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  1. Piedmont’s Development in the 1850s Political developments: • Retained Statuto (liberal constitution) given by King Charles Albert in 1848. • As a result, Piedmont became a magnet for people wishing to live in a more liberal state, including many prominent intellectuals. • Independent papers flourished, often writing from an Italian rather than Piedmontese perspective. • Siccardi Laws of 1850 controlled power of the church, which Cavour felt was the “chief cause of the misfortune of Italy”. • The Connubio (alliance) formed in 1851 between Cavour and Ratazzi strengthened the political centre, and resulted in Cavour becoming P.M. in 1852.

  2. Piedmont’s Development in the 1850s Economic developments: • Railways and industrialisation in Piedmont meant it was the first partially industrialised Italian state. • Cavour, former Minister of Trade and Agriculture and a railway enthusiast, was a great advocate of railway construction. • The main industry was textiles, particularly silk and cotton. Foreign policy: • Joined Crimean War in 1855 to gain friendship of Britain and France, which resulted in Cavour’s seat at the Paris Peace Conference of 1856. • Here Cavour met Emperor Napoleon III of France, and their acquaintance led to a secret meeting at Plombieres in 1858 at which they planned Piedmontese territorial expansion across Austrian-controlled Northern Italy.

  3. Key Figures Cavour: • Statesman – wanted careful expansion of Piedmont and weakened Austrian influence in the North of Italy. • Extremely significant economic impact – formed free trade agreements as Minister of Agriculture Trade & Navy in 1851, and was vital in the process of industrialisation through the building of railways. • Known as a liberal non-revolutionary; died 1862. • Driving force behind Stages 1 + 2 of unification. Garibaldi: • As a soldier – successful guerilla leader, captured Sicily, Naples and the Papal States (Stage 3). • As a politician – republican then monarchist, impatient, with limited awareness of politics and diplomacy but nevertheless devoted to the cause of Italian unity.

  4. Key Figures Victor Emmanuel: • King of Piedmont-Sardinia 1849-1861 before becoming the first king of united Italy following the efforts of Cavour and Garibaldi in acquiring new territories. • Retained the Statuto given by his father King Charles Albert. • Encouraged Cavour to join the Crimean War. • May not have been of much importance, other than being a figurehead for Italian nationalists and the new Kingdom of Italy: Garibaldi said he was simply “the symbol of our resurgence and of the prosperity of our country”.

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