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The 1848 revolutions in the Italian states
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In 1848 revolutions swept across Italy. All of them failed, but they changed the hopes of Italian nationalists.
Italy before 1848
Italy was divided into several states. Austria ruled Lombardy and Venetia and dominated others; the Pope ruled the Papal States; Piedmont (Kingdom of Sardinia) was the strongest independent Italian state.
The revolutions
Revolts in 1848 forced rulers to grant constitutions, including in Tuscany and Piedmont, where King Charles Albert granted the Statuto.
Milan rose against Austria, and Piedmont declared war on Austria but was defeated (Custoza 1848, Novara 1849).
In Rome, Mazzini led a republic after the Pope fled; Garibaldi helped defend it.
Milan rose against Austria, and Piedmont declared war on Austria but was defeated (Custoza 1848, Novara 1849).
In Rome, Mazzini led a republic after the Pope fled; Garibaldi helped defend it.
Why they failed
Austrian military power recovered.
French troops crushed the Roman Republic and restored the Pope (1849).
Revolutionaries were divided between republicans and monarchists, and most peasants were not involved.
Only Piedmont kept its constitution: new king Victor Emmanuel II kept the Statuto.
French troops crushed the Roman Republic and restored the Pope (1849).
Revolutionaries were divided between republicans and monarchists, and most peasants were not involved.
Only Piedmont kept its constitution: new king Victor Emmanuel II kept the Statuto.
Explain why the 1848 revolutions in Italy failed.
- Austria's army recovered and defeated Piedmont.
- France sent troops to restore the Pope in Rome.
- The revolutionaries were divided and had little peasant support.
Answer: Foreign armies were too strong and the revolutionaries too divided.
1848: constitutions in Tuscany and Piedmont (the Statuto), war with Austria, Mazzini's Roman Republic. They failed because of Austrian power, French troops in Rome and divisions. Piedmont under Victor Emmanuel II kept the Statuto.
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