Piedmont's Ploy: Manipulating Austria Into War

The Austro-French Piedmontese War of 1859 was the result of a secret agreement between Piedmont and France. After being defeated by Austria in the First Italian War of Independence, Piedmont recognised their need for allies and Prime Minister Camillo Benso, Count of Cavour, attempted to establish relations with other European powers. Cavour and Napoleon agreed to a defensive alliance: if Cavour could trick the Austrians into attacking Piedmont, then Napoleon would come to Piedmont's aid.

Cavour's participation in the Crimean War

After their defeat by Austria in the First Italian War of Independence, Piedmont recognised their need for allies. This led Prime Minister Camillo Benso, Count of Cavour, to attempt to establish relations with other European powers, partially through Piedmont's participation in the Crimean War. In the peace conference at Paris after the Crimean War, Cavour attempted to bring attention to efforts for Italian unification. Britain and France were sympathetic but refused to go against Austrian wishes, as any movement towards Italian independence would threaten Austria's territory of Lombardy–Venetia.

Cavour agreed to provoke a European war against Austria in the following year. He and Napoleon agreed to a defensive alliance: if Cavour could trick the Austrians into attacking Piedmont, then Napoleon would come to Piedmont's aid, and not stop until the Austrians had been expelled from Lombardy and Venetia. On 9 April 1859, the Austrians began mobilising, and on 23 April they demanded the demobilisation of Piedmontese forces. Piedmont rejected the ultimatum, and 150,000 troops invaded Piedmontese territory on 29 April. However, French troops were already on their way to northern Italy. The war was fought between the Alps to the north and the River Po in the south. The French won victories at Magenta and Solferino, and the Austrians turned over the province of Lombardy to the Piedmontese.

The peace conference at Paris

Following their defeat by Austria in the First Italian War of Independence, Piedmont recognised their need for allies. This led Prime Minister Camillo Benso, Count of Cavour, to attempt to establish relations with other European powers, partially through Piedmont's participation in the Crimean War.

At the peace conference in Paris after the Crimean War, Cavour attempted to bring attention to efforts for Italian unification. Britain and France were sympathetic but refused to go against Austrian wishes, as any movement towards Italian independence would threaten Austria's territory of Lombardy-Venetia.

Private talks between Napoleon III and Cavour after the conference identified Napoleon as the most likely candidate to aid Italy, although he was still uncommitted. Cavour and Napoleon agreed to a defensive alliance: if Cavour could trick the Austrians into attacking Piedmont, then Napoleon would come to Piedmont's aid and not stop until the Austrians had been expelled from Lombardy and Venetia.

Cavour agreed to provoke a European war against Austria the following year. At the first suspicions of a secret agreement, the European powers, especially England, began a campaign to prevent the French and Piedmontese from carrying out their intentions. However, on 23 April 1859, the Austrians demanded the demobilisation of Piedmontese forces, which Piedmont rejected. This led to 150,000 troops invading Piedmontese territory on 29 April. By then, French troops were already on their way to northern Italy. The war culminated in French victories at Magenta and Solferino, followed by a settlement in which the Austrians turned over the province of Lombardy to the Piedmontese.

The secret agreement between Cavour and Napoleon

After the First Italian War of Independence, Piedmont recognised their need for allies. Prime Minister Camillo Benso, Count of Cavour, attempted to establish relations with other European powers, including Britain and France, through Piedmont's participation in the Crimean War.

At the peace conference after the Crimean War, Cavour attempted to bring attention to efforts for Italian unification. Britain and France were sympathetic but refused to go against Austrian wishes, as any movement towards Italian independence would threaten Austria's territory of Lombardy–Venetia.

Private talks between Napoleon III and Cavour identified Napoleon as the most likely candidate to aid Italy, although he was still uncommitted. Cavour and Napoleon agreed to a defensive alliance: if Cavour could trick the Austrians into attacking Piedmont, then Napoleon would come to Piedmont's aid and not stop until the Austrians had been expelled from Lombardy and Venetia.

In April 1859, Cavour succeeded in provoking the Austrians into a declaration of war. Napoleon led his armies across the Alps, and the French achieved victories at Magenta and Solferino. The Austrians then turned over the province of Lombardy to the Piedmontese.

The Austrian declaration of war

Cavour therefore sought to provoke a European war against Austria, knowing that he would need to trick the Austrians into attacking Piedmont in order to secure the aid of Napoleon III of France. On 9 April 1859, the Austrians began mobilising their troops, and on 23 April they demanded the demobilisation of Piedmontese forces. Piedmont rejected the ultimatum and, on 29 April, 150,000 troops invaded Piedmontese territory. However, French troops were already on their way to northern Italy, and the Austrians were forced to turn over the province of Lombardy to the Piedmontese.

The defeat of Austria in the war against France and Piedmont had a profound effect on the German states, as it undermined the respect for the Habsburg armies and the authoritarian regime in Vienna.

The French and Piedmontese invasion of northern Italy

Following their defeat by Austria in the First Italian War of Independence, Piedmont recognised their need for allies. Prime Minister Camillo Benso, Count of Cavour, attempted to establish relations with other European powers, including Britain and France, through Piedmont's participation in the Crimean War. In the peace conference at Paris after the Crimean War, Cavour attempted to bring attention to efforts for Italian unification. Britain and France were sympathetic but refused to go against Austrian wishes, as any movement towards Italian independence would threaten Austria's territory of Lombardy-Venetia.

Private talks between Napoleon III and Cavour identified Napoleon as the most likely candidate to aid Italy, and the two agreed to a defensive alliance. If Cavour could trick the Austrians into attacking Piedmont, then Napoleon would come to Piedmont's aid and not stop until the Austrians had been expelled from Lombardy and Venetia.

Cavour agreed to provoke a European war against Austria in 1859. At the first suspicions of a secret agreement, the European powers, especially England, began a campaign to prevent the French and Piedmontese from carrying out their intentions. On 9 April 1859, the Austrians began mobilising, and on 23 April they demanded the demobilisation of Piedmontese forces. Piedmont rejected the ultimatum, and on 29 April, 150,000 troops invaded Piedmontese territory. By then, French troops were already on their way to northern Italy.

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