Damon Mcknight
Milan has a rich and complex history, having been ruled by the Romans, Goths, Lombards, Spaniards, French and Austrians before becoming part of the Kingdom of Italy in 1861. The city's history stretches back to 400 BC when it was a Celtic settlement. In this paragraph, we will focus on the period of Austrian rule and its impact on the city, which lasted from 1713 until Italian unification in 1859.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Austrian rule in Milan | 1713-1859 |
| Austrian reforms in Milan | Administrative reforms, modernisation after Spanish neglect, improvement of the silk industry |
| Austrian rule opposed by Milanese | Yes, hostility expressed in Verdi's early operas and the Cinque Giornate (Five Days) of 1848 |
| Austrian rule ended by | French and Piedmontese military intervention and the action of Risorgimento hero Giuseppe Garibaldi and his guerrilla troops |
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What You'll Learn
Austrian rule in Milan began in 1706
In 1706, the Bourbon alliance was under immense pressure in Flanders and in Spain. The Allies captured Madrid before retreating in October. The Austrians' success in Northern Italy meant they could plan an attack on the French naval base at Toulon, with support from the Royal Navy. The French were defeated in Ramillies and Turin and were forced to yield Northern Italy to the Austrian Habsburgs.
The Convention of Milan, signed on 13 March 1707, was an agreement between France and Austria that ended the fighting in Northern Italy. The French were allowed to withdraw their remaining forces and, in return, handed control of any towns they still held to the Austrian commander, Prince Eugene of Savoy. The Duchy of Milan was ceded to Austria, marking the beginning of Austrian rule in the city.
During the period of Austrian rule, Milan underwent significant changes in various societal fields, including the economy, public life, culture, art, administration, and science. These improvements were largely thanks to the initiatives of the Habsburg dynasty. The Accademia di Brera was founded during this time, as was the La Scala theatre (now known as the Teatro alla Scala) in 1778, and the renovation of the Royal Palace in 1773. Archduchess Maria Theresa of Austria was responsible for these renovations, commissioning the construction of La Scala and the renovation of the Royal Palace to the architect Giuseppe Piermarini.
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Milanese rebellions against Austrian rule
The Milanese people demonstrated intolerance towards Austrian rule and fought back during the Cinque Giornate (Five Days) of Milan in March 1848. From the 18th to the 22nd, the Milanese took back their city and expelled the Austrian garrison. This insurrection was a major event in the Revolutionary Year of 1848 and started the First Italian War of Independence.
The Five Days of Milan was not the first instance of Milanese resistance to Austrian rule. In 1815, Milan was once again subjected to Austrian domination during the Congress of Vienna, which aimed to redistribute European territories after the defeat of Napoleon. However, the Milanese remained largely hostile to Austrian rule, and this hostility found an outlet in some of Verdi's early operas.
The uprising in 1848 was part of a broader context of revolutionary activity in the Austrian Empire, which included uprisings in Vienna and other parts of Lombardy-Venetia. The Milanese launched an anti-Austrian campaign as early as 1 January 1848, boycotting gambling and tobacco products, which were government monopolies. This boycott culminated in a bloody street battle on 3 January, when Austrian soldiers killed and wounded several people.
The insurrection in March 1848 was marked by five days of intense street fighting, with the Milanese raising barricades, firing from windows and roofs, and urging the rural population to join them. The populace was even backed by the archbishop and a number of priests who joined the fighting against the Austrians. Despite the energetic and rigid leadership of Field Marshal Joseph Radetzky, the Austrian garrison was forced to retreat to the Quadrilatero fortresses.
The Austrians were finally expelled from Milan in 1859, after numerous Milanese rebellions. Milan was then annexed to the Kingdom of Piedmont, which became the Kingdom of Italy two years later, marking the end of Austrian rule in the city.
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Austrian reforms and modernisation
The history of Milan is a rich tapestry, with the city enduring various conquests and foreign rule over the centuries. One notable period of foreign domination was under the Austrians, which began in the early 18th century and lasted, with some interruptions, until Italian unification in 1871.
During the Austrian rule, Milan underwent significant reforms and modernisation, particularly during the reign of Maria Theresa in the mid-18th century. Maria Theresa implemented a series of military, financial, and administrative reforms aimed at centralising power and improving the empire's finances. She increased the size of the army and created a school for officers, recognising the importance of a strong military. To address the financial woes brought on by the Seven Years' War, she negotiated with parliamentary bodies to set tax contributions for each crown land for a decade, providing much-needed stability. Maria Theresa also enacted laws to improve the lives of peasants, such as regulating the rights and duties of serfs and restricting aristocratic exploitation.
The Austrian rule in Milan was not without resistance from the Milanese, who demonstrated their intolerance towards their rulers. This hostility culminated in the Cinque Giornate (Five Days) of Milan in 1848, when the Milanese took back their city and ousted the Austrians. However, due to military incompetence, the uprising ultimately failed, and Austrian forces re-established control under Count Joseph Radetzky. It was not until 1859, after persistent Milanese rebellions, that the Austrians were finally expelled from Milan, leading to its annexation to the Kingdom of Piedmont and, later, the Kingdom of Italy.
Milan's period under Austrian rule left its mark on the city's culture and architecture. The Accademia di Brera, the theatre La Scala, and neoclassical buildings such as the Arco della Pace were constructed during this time. Additionally, the completion of the Duomo's façade and the construction of the Arch of Peace were commissioned by Napoleon during his rule of the city from 1805 to 1814.
While Milan's history under Austrian rule is a significant chapter, the city has continued to evolve and transform. From its humble beginnings as a Celtic settlement in 400 BC, it has endured conquests by the Romans, Visigoths, Huns, and Lombards. It flourished as a trade hub during the Middle Ages and became a centre of Renaissance culture in the 15th century. In the 20th century, it emerged as a pivotal industrial base and a cultural leader, with fashion houses like Armani, Versace, and Dolce & Gabbana contributing to its global reputation as a fashion capital.
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Napoleon's invasion and Austrian defeat
Milan has a rich and complex history, with many different groups invading and ruling the city over the centuries. One notable period was the Napoleonic era, when Napoleon invaded northern Italy and defeated the Austrians, only for them to regain control after his fall.
Napoleon's invasion of Milan took place in the context of his broader Italian Campaigns during the Revolutionary Wars. He sought to reconquer northern Italy, which was under Austrian control following their military victories in 1799 and the invasion of Lombardy in 1800. In his first Italian campaign, Napoleon's army besieged Mantua, the centre of Austrian power in Italy. Recognising the threat, the Austrians sent a large force to break the siege. However, Napoleon employed a clever strategy to cut their supply line by taking the town of Arcole, which controlled the narrow road used by the Austrians. After three days of intense fighting, the French captured Arcole, forcing the Austrians to retreat from Mantua and ultimately from Italy.
In his second Italian campaign, Napoleon led around 50,000 troops over the Swiss Alps, emerging behind Austrian lines in Lombardy. This daring manoeuvre, echoing the exploits of historical figures like Charlemagne and Hannibal, took the Austrians by surprise. Despite initial setbacks and fierce resistance, Napoleon's forces emerged victorious at the Battle of Marengo on June 14, 1800, thanks to reinforcements led by General Desaix. This defeat of the Austrian army solidified Napoleon's control over northern Italy, and Milan became the capital of the Reign of Italy from 1805 to 1814.
Napoleon's invasion of Milan and defeat of the Austrians had significant consequences. It solidified French dominance in the region and led to a period of French rule in Milan. During this time, Napoleon commissioned various construction projects, including the completion of the Duomo's façade and the construction of the Arch of Peace. However, this period of French rule ended with Napoleon's fall in 1814.
Following Napoleon's defeat, the Congress of Vienna in 1815 returned control of Lombardy, including Milan, to the Austrians. The Milanese people, however, remained hostile to Austrian rule and demonstrated their intolerance through rebellions and uprisings, such as the Cinque Giornate (Five Days) of Milan in 1848. Despite their resistance, the Austrians maintained control until 1859, when they were finally expelled from Milan after the battles of Magenta and Solferino. This marked the end of Austrian rule in the city, and Milan was annexed to the Kingdom of Piedmont, which later became part of the unified Kingdom of Italy in 1861.
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The end of Austrian rule in Milan
The Austrian rule in Milan came to an end in 1859, after numerous Milanese rebellions. However, the end of Austrian domination in the city was a gradual process that spanned several decades and was influenced by various factors, including the Napoleonic Wars, the Congress of Vienna, and the Risorgimento.
During the Napoleonic Wars, Milan was conquered by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1796 and became the capital of the Cisalpine Republic, which was a French client republic. In 1805, it became the capital of the Kingdom of Italy under Napoleon. This period of French rule saw significant developments in Milan, such as the completion of the Duomo cathedral and the construction of the Arch of Peace. However, after Napoleon's defeat in 1814, the Congress of Vienna redistributed the European territories, and Milan once again came under Austrian domination as part of the Kingdom of Lombardy-Venetia.
The Milanese people were hostile towards Austrian rule and demonstrated their intolerance through rebellions and uprisings, such as the Cinque Giornate (Five Days) of Milan in 1848. During these five days in March, the Milanese took back their city and temporarily ousted the Austrians. Despite the failure of the uprising due to military incompetence, it marked a significant step towards the end of Austrian rule.
The Austrians were finally expelled from Milan in 1859 due to a combination of Milanese rebellions and military interventions by the French and the Piedmontese. Milan was then annexed to the Kingdom of Piedmont, which became the Kingdom of Italy in 1861. This marked the official end of Austrian rule in Milan, and the city became part of a much larger and unified Italian nation.
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Frequently asked questions
Austrian rule in Milan began in 1706, when Joseph I of Austria's troops, led by Eugenio of Savoy, occupied the city. Austrian rule was marked by significant administrative reforms and the modernisation of the city. In 1848, the Milanese rebelled against Austrian rule during the "Five Days of Milan", temporarily ousting Austrian power. Austrian rule finally ended in 1859, when Austria was defeated by France in the Second Italian War of Independence.
Austrian rule in Milan began in 1706, when Joseph I of Austria's troops occupied the city, putting an end to Spanish occupation.
The Austrians implemented significant administrative reforms during their rule in Milan. Inspired by the principles of enlightened absolutism, they introduced reforms such as the rearrangement of the land register, the suppression of ecclesiastical censorship, and the development of the silk industry.
Austrian rule in Milan ended in 1859, when Austria was defeated by France in the Second Italian War of Independence. After their defeat, Austria handed over Milan and Lombardy to the House of Savoy.
Austrian rule under the Habsburg dynasty brought about changes in all society fields, including economic, public, cultural, artistic, administrative, and scientific fields. This period saw the founding of the Accademia di Brera and the construction of the theatre La Scala, where Giuseppe Verdi made his debut.
