Cavour's Piedmont: reform and diplomacy, 1850 to 1858

After the defeats of 1848 to 1849, Piedmont was the only Italian state that kept a constitution. Under Cavour it became modern, prosperous and noticed by the great powers.

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Cavour comes to power

Count Camillo di Cavour joined the government in 1850 and became Prime Minister in 1852.
He built a majority by the connubio ('marriage'), an alliance between his centre-right group and Rattazzi's centre-left.
The Siccardi Laws (1850) abolished separate Church courts and other Church privileges, which angered the Pope.

Modernising the economy

Cavour signed free trade treaties with countries such as France and Britain, boosting exports of silk and wine.
Piedmont built more railways than any other Italian state; the Turin to Genoa line linked the capital with its main port.
He reformed taxes and encouraged banks and credit for business.
A modern Piedmont looked like the natural leader of Italy, and many exiles from other states moved there.

Diplomacy: Crimea and Plombières

Piedmont joined Britain and France in the Crimean War in 1855, so Cavour gained a seat at the Congress of Paris (1856), where he raised the 'Italian question'.
The National Society (founded 1857) campaigned for unity under Piedmont's king.
At Plombières (July 1858) Cavour and Napoleon III secretly agreed to provoke a war with Austria; France would help Piedmont and receive Nice and Savoy.
Worked example

Explain how the Crimean War helped Piedmont.

  1. Piedmont sent troops to fight alongside Britain and France in 1855.
  2. This gave Cavour a place at the Congress of Paris in 1856.
  3. He used it to raise the Italian question and win sympathy, especially from Napoleon III, which led to Plombières (1858).

Answer: It earned Piedmont a seat at the peace conference, where Cavour publicised Italy's problems and built the French friendship that led to Plombières.

Key idea

Cavour: minister from 1850, Prime Minister from 1852, built a majority through the connubio. Siccardi Laws (1850) cut Church privileges. Free trade, railways and banks modernised Piedmont. Crimean War (1855) won a seat at the Congress of Paris (1856). Plombières (July 1858): secret deal with Napoleon III against Austria in return for Nice and Savoy.

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  1. With whom did Cavour make the connubio?

    1. Mazzini
    2. Garibaldi
    3. Napoleon III
    4. Urbano Rattazzi
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    Answer: Urbano Rattazzi

    The alliance gave Cavour a majority.

  2. Who was angered by the Siccardi Laws?

    1. Mazzini
    2. Britain
    3. Garibaldi
    4. The Pope
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    Answer: The Pope

    The laws reduced Church privileges.

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Checked by the GCSE-ready editorial team, 17 October 2026. Last updated 2 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us and we will fix it.

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