Causes of the 1859 War of independence (Franco-Austro)

Question 1

Orsini Bomb Plot: When was the incident?

Answer 1

14th January 1858

Question 2

Orsini Bomb Plot: Who were the targets of the plot?

Answer 2

Emperor Napoleon III and his wife Empress Eugénie, going to the opera in Paris

Question 3

Orsini Bomb Plot: What did Orsini believe the assassination would achieve

Answer 3

Awareness and increased concern in France for the unification of Italy.

Question 4

Orsini Bomb Plot: How did Napoleon react after he and his wife survived the attack?

Answer 4

Bitter at Cavour for allowing Orsini past his borders, eventually calmed down after VEII claimed Piedmont has slowed down the excess of radicals.

Question 5

Pact of Plombieres: When was the meeting held?

Answer 5

July 21st 1858

Question 6

Pact of Plombieres: What was the meeting?

Answer 6

Secret meeting between Napoleon and Cavour drawing up plans to expel Austria from Lombardy and Venetia.

Question 7

Terms of Plombieres: What was the main clause of starting a war with Austria.

Answer 7

Austria had to be perceived as the aggressors and that France was defending Italy from Austria rather than France (and a Bonaparte) being the lead aggressors upsetting the balance of power.

Question 8

Terms of Plombieres: What was decided that was to happen in Upper Italy?

Answer 8

Kingdom of Upper Italy – under the house of Savoy: Piedmont, Lombardy and Venetia, Parma, Modena and Papal Legations.

Question 9

Terms of Plombieres: What was decided that was to happen in Central Italy?

Answer 9

Kingdom of Central Italy – under control of Tuscany; includes Umbria and the Papal marches. the Pope in control of Rome and its surroundings and would lead an Italian Confederation.

Question 10

Terms of Plombieres: What was decided that was to happen in Lower Italy (Kingdom of Two-Sicilies?)

Answer 10

Remain as it was as to not upset the Russian Tsar who was allies with the Bourbons.

Question 11

Terms of Plombieres: How many soldiers would France send in return for Nice and Savoy?

Answer 11

200,000

Question 12

Terms of Plombieres: How was the marriage deal sealed?

Answer 12

Marriage of 15 year old Marie Clotilde (VEII daughter) to the middle aged Prince Jerome Bonaparte.

Question 13

VEII dilemma: Victor had to stick to the pact so how did he get Austria to seem like the agressors?

Answer 13

Mobilised his army in March 1859

Question 14

VEII dilemma: How did Austria react to Piedmonts mobilisation?

Answer 14

Mobilised the Austrian troops in April. This was costly for Austria.

Question 15

VEII dilemma: When did Austria threaten Piedmont?

Answer 15

23rd April - they demanded Piedmont Demobilise.

Question 16

VEII dilemma: When did Austria officially declare war?

Answer 16

29th April 1859

Question 17

VEII dilemma: What weakened the Austrian troops?

Answer 17

90,000 had to be left in Hungary so there was only partial mobilisation of his army.