GCSE-ready- Home
- Lessons
- GCSE & IGCSE History
- The defeat of Austria, 1854 to 59
The defeat of Austria, 1854 to 59
🎬 The doodle video for this lesson is coming soon. Subscribe on YouTube to see it first.
Cavour knew Piedmont could not beat Austria alone. He needed the help of France's emperor, Napoleon III.
Making friends
Piedmont joined Britain and France in the Crimean War (1855), earning a seat at the Congress of Paris (1856), where Cavour raised the Italian question.
In 1858 an Italian, Orsini, tried to assassinate Napoleon III. Surprisingly, this pushed Napoleon to help Italy.
In 1858 an Italian, Orsini, tried to assassinate Napoleon III. Surprisingly, this pushed Napoleon to help Italy.
The Pact of Plombières, 1858
Cavour and Napoleon III secretly agreed that France would help Piedmont fight Austria if Austria could be made to look like the aggressor.
Piedmont would gain Lombardy and Venetia; France would gain Nice and Savoy.
Piedmont would gain Lombardy and Venetia; France would gain Nice and Savoy.
The war of 1859
Austria declared war in April 1859. France and Piedmont won at Magenta and Solferino.
But Napoleon made a separate peace, the Treaty of Villafranca: Piedmont gained Lombardy, but Austria kept Venetia. Cavour resigned in fury.
In 1860 the central states (Tuscany, Parma, Modena, the Romagna) voted to join Piedmont; Cavour (back in office) gave Nice and Savoy to France.
But Napoleon made a separate peace, the Treaty of Villafranca: Piedmont gained Lombardy, but Austria kept Venetia. Cavour resigned in fury.
In 1860 the central states (Tuscany, Parma, Modena, the Romagna) voted to join Piedmont; Cavour (back in office) gave Nice and Savoy to France.
Why was Cavour angry about the Treaty of Villafranca?
- The Plombières plan promised Piedmont both Lombardy and Venetia.
- At Villafranca, Napoleon III made peace with Austria without consulting Piedmont.
- Piedmont gained only Lombardy, so Cavour resigned.
Answer: Napoleon III made a separate peace that left Venetia with Austria.
Piedmont joined the Crimean War (1855) to gain allies. After the Orsini Affair (1858), the Pact of Plombières secured French help. Victories at Magenta and Solferino (1859) won Lombardy, but Villafranca left Venetia Austrian. The central states joined in 1860; Nice and Savoy went to France.
Check you have got it
Answer 6 quick questions with instant marking. If you get one wrong, GCSE-ready shows you why and gives you another go. It is free, and you do not need an account.