Damon Mcknight
In 1859, Austria was defeated in the Second Italian War of Independence, also known as the Austro-French Piedmontese War or Franco-Austrian War. This conflict marked the end of Austrian influence in Italy and resulted in the loss of Lombardy. The war was sparked by Sardinia's efforts to expel Austria from Italy, with the support of France, and culminated in Austrian defeats at the Battles of Magenta and Solferino.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 1859 |
| Conflict Name | Second Italian War of Independence, Austro-French Piedmontese War, Franco-Austrian War of 1859 |
| Participants | Austria, Sardinia, France, Piedmont |
| Outcome | Austrian defeat, loss of Lombardy |
| Battles | Magenta, Solferino, Treponti |
| Commanders | Napoleon III, Patrice de MacMahon, François Certain de Canrobert, Adolphe Niel, Napoléon Joseph Charles Paul Bonaparte, Camillo Benso, Count Cavour, Count Gyulai, Karl von Urban, Giuseppe Garibaldi, Maréchal Canrobert, Francis Joseph |
| Notes | Austria was defeated by Sardinia, aided by France, revealing the weakness of the Austrian government |
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What You'll Learn
Austria's defeat at the Battle of Magenta
Austria was defeated at the Battle of Magenta on June 4, 1859, during the Second Italian War of Independence. The battle was fought near the town of Magenta in the Kingdom of Lombardy–Venetia, a crown land of the Austrian Empire. The Franco-Sardinian forces, led by Napoleon III, defeated the Austrians under Marshal Ferenc Gyulay.
The Battle of Magenta was a result of the conflict between Austria and Sardinia-Piedmont, with France supporting the latter. The Sardinian-Piedmontese forces, seeking to expel Austria from Italy, mobilised their army on March 9, 1859, and Austria responded by mobilising on April 9. After Sardinia refused to comply with an Austrian ultimatum demanding demobilisation, the war began on April 26. France, committed to supporting Sardinia-Piedmont, declared war on Austria on May 3.
The French army, boasting some of the finest infantry units in Europe, had an advantage in artillery, possessing rifled cannons with greater range and accuracy than the traditional smoothbore guns of the Austrians. The French force, consisting of about 50,000 men, was supported by an additional 12,000 troops led by Manfredo Fanti. The Austrians, led by Gyulay, had approximately 60,000 men from various Korps, including the I, II, III, and VII.
The battle itself was not a particularly large-scale engagement, but it proved decisive for the Franco-Sardinian alliance. The confined nature of the terrain, characterised by orchards, streams, and irrigation canals, limited the scope for elaborate manoeuvres. The Austrian defenders, including Croatians and Tyrolian riflemen, put up fierce resistance, turning houses into miniature fortresses. However, the French outflanked the Austrian right, forcing Gyulay to retreat toward the river Mincio. The French advanced into Magenta and beyond, with MacMahon's forces playing a crucial role in the victory.
The defeat at Magenta had significant repercussions for Austria. It led to the loss of Lombardy and the resignation of the Bach government. The battle also marked the end of Gyulay's command, as he was relieved of his post by Emperor Franz Josef, who assumed direct control of the Austrian forces. The Franco-Sardinian victory at Magenta ultimately contributed to the end of Austrian influence in Italy and the unification of the Italian Peninsula under the House of Savoy.
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The Franco-Sardinian victory at the Battle of Solferino
The Battle of Solferino, also known as the Battle of Solferino and San Martino in Italy, took place on 24 June 1859 and resulted in the defeat of the Austrian army by the allied forces of the French army under Napoleon III and the Piedmont-Sardinian army under Victor Emmanuel II. This battle was part of the Second Italian War of Independence, also known as the Sardinian War, the Austro-Sardinian War, or the Italian War of 1859, and played a crucial role in the Italian unification process.
The French army at Solferino was divided into four corps and the Imperial Guard, while the Sardinian army had four divisions on the field. The Austrian forces, led by Emperor Franz Joseph I, consisted of about 130,000 troops, while the combined Franco-Piedmontese forces totalled about 140,000. The battle was the last major battle in world history where all the armies were personally commanded by their monarchs.
The Sardinian army played a crucial role in the overall battle by engaging Benedek's corps throughout the day and preventing the reinforcement of the Austrian force at Solferino. Despite inflicting heavy losses on the Sardinian attackers, the Austrians were unable to hold their positions and were eventually forced to retreat. The battle lasted over nine hours and resulted in significant casualties on both sides, with over 2,386 Austrian troops killed and thousands more wounded, captured, or missing.
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Austria's loss of Lombardy
Austria's defeat in 1859 resulted in the loss of Lombardy, marking a significant shift in the balance of power in Europe. This loss was a consequence of the Second Italian War of Independence, which saw Austria face off against Sardinia-Piedmont, supported by France. The conflict culminated in the Battle of Solferino on June 24, 1859, where the Austro-Hungarian forces were decisively defeated, leading to the signing of the Armistice of Villafranca on July 12.
The loss of Lombardy dealt a substantial blow to the Austrian Empire, as the region held both strategic and symbolic value. Lombardy had been a crown land of the Austrian Empire since 1815, when it was established as the Kingdom of Lombardy-Venetia by the Congress of Vienna. This kingdom, ruled by the Habsburg Emperor of Austria, encompassed the historical regions of Lombardy in northern Italy and Venetia, which included the city of Venice.
The Austrian defeat in 1859 and the subsequent loss of Lombardy highlighted the weakness of the Austrian government and led to the resignation of the Bach government. It also signalled the end of Austrian influence in Italy, as Sardinia-Piedmont, now known as the Kingdom of Sardinia, sought to unify the Italian Peninsula. Exploiting Austria's weakened state, Sardinia-Piedmont moved quickly to consolidate its power, annexing several central Italian duchies and cementing its dominance in the region.
The loss of Lombardy was a pivotal moment in the broader context of Italian unification. The region of Lombardy was an important step towards creating a unified Italian state, and its acquisition by Sardinia-Piedmont brought them a step closer to realising their unification goals. This shift in power dynamics also influenced other European powers, particularly Prussia, which would go on to play a significant role in the ongoing unification process.
The Treaty of Zurich, which followed the Austrian defeat, formalised the transfer of Lombardy to France, who then ceded it to the Kingdom of Sardinia. This treaty also stipulated that Austria would retain control of the fortresses of Mantua and Peschiera, located east of the Mincio River. However, these remaining territories would also be lost to the Kingdom of Italy in 1866, marking the complete dissolution of the Kingdom of Lombardy-Venetia and the culmination of Italian unification efforts.
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The end of Austrian influence in Italy
The Austrian Empire's influence in Italy came to an end in 1859, following its defeat in the Second Italian War of Independence. The conflict, also known as the Austro-French Piedmontese War or the Franco-Austrian War, saw Austria pitted against an alliance of France and the Kingdom of Sardinia-Piedmont.
The roots of the war can be traced back to the Crimean War (1853-1856), when Austria adopted a policy of hostile neutrality towards Russia, supporting the Anglo-French coalition without actually going to war. This stance left Russia feeling betrayed and failed to earn Austria any gratitude from England or France. During this period, Austria suppressed a revolutionary/nationalist movement in Italy, ostensibly restoring its position in the Italian peninsula. However, the provinces of Lombardy and Venetia remained vulnerable, and Italy continued to seek unification and independence from foreign powers.
In the lead-up to the war, Sardinia-Piedmont, led by Prime Minister Camillo Benso, Count of Cavour, sought to establish relations with other European powers to support its unification efforts. This included a secret treaty of alliance with France, signed by Cavour and Napoleon III in July 1858. According to the treaty, France would support Sardinia-Piedmont against Austria in exchange for territorial compensation, including the Duchy of Savoy and the County of Nice.
Hostilities commenced in April 1859, with Austria invading Piedmont on April 29. However, the Austrian troops, under Count Gyulai, hesitated, allowing French troops to arrive in Alessandria and support their ally. The French army, under the command of Napoleon III, was divided into five corps and enjoyed technological and tactical advantages over the Austrians. The Austrians suffered defeats at the hands of the French and Piedmontese at Montebello, Palestro, and Magenta, where they were outmaneuvered and outfought. The Franco-Sardinian victory at the Battle of Solferino on June 24, 1859, marked the end of the war and resulted in the signing of the Armistice of Villafranca.
As a consequence of its defeat, Austria ceded Lombardy to France, which then gave it to Sardinia. This loss revealed the weakness of the Austrian government and led to the resignation of the Bach government. Sardinia, exploiting the collapse of Austrian power in Italy, quickly moved to annex the United Provinces of Central Italy, including the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, the Duchies of Parma and Modena and Reggio, and the Papal Legations. The Treaties of Villafranca and Zürich further diminished Austria's influence in Italy, removing most of Lombardy from its control. These events ultimately marked the end of Austrian influence in Italy and contributed to the broader process of Italian unification.
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The Armistice of Villafranca
The terms of the armistice were as follows: Austria ceded Lombardy (excluding Mantua and Peschiera) to France, which then gave it to the Kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia. An Italian confederation under the presidency of Pope Pius IX was created, with the Veneto under Austrian sovereignty being part of it. The dukes of Modena, Parma, and Tuscany, who had been driven away by revolutions, were restored to their thrones.
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Frequently asked questions
The Second Italian War of Independence was a conflict between Austria and the Kingdom of Sardinia-Piedmont, with the latter receiving support from France. The war began on April 26, 1859, and ended with the signing of the Armistice of Villafranca on July 12, 1859.
The Austrian defeat in the Second Italian War of Independence resulted in the loss of Lombardy, with the Bach government resigning as a consequence. The Treaties of Villafranca and Zürich removed Lombardy, except for the part east of the Mincio River. Sardinia also annexed the United Provinces of Central Italy, which included the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, the Duchy of Parma, the Duchy of Modena and Reggio, and the Papal Legations.
The Austrian defeat in the Second Italian War of Independence ended Austrian influence in Italy. It also revealed the weakness of the Austrian government and led to internal difficulties within the empire.
