Political Developments in Piedmont 1849-1856 Flashcards
What were the positives of the Piedmontese constitution ‘The Statuto’?
taxes decided by the elected chamber of parliament (the Chamber of Deputies)
recognised the rule of law
allowed for a free press
allowed for religious liberty
allowed for the creation of the National Society in 1857
What were the negatives of the Piedmontese constitution, ‘The Statuto’?
Victor Emmanuel II had power to elect and dismiss ministers at will
Minister subject to the king and not parliament
VEII had control over foreign policy and army
VEII elected members of the Senate
The Chamber of Deputies only represented 2.25% of the population who were literate
What was the Connubio
An agreement between the centre left (Rattazi) and the centre right (d’Azeglio) engineered by Count Cavour, the finance minister
What was the impact of the Connubio?
It strengthened parliament against the crown
Made it easy to pass reforms
Attracted further political exiles from states with absolute monarchs
When was the Connubio signed?
1851-1852
When did Count Cavour become prime minister?
November 1852
Who did Massimo d’Azeglio argue with over a potential civil marriage bill?
Victor Emmanuel II and Pope Pius IX
What was the consequence of the civil marriage bill?
d’Azeglio resignation, Cavour accession to prime minister
How did Cavour stabilise Piedmont politically?
1853 - notified Austria of a potential uprising
1855 - appointed foreign, finance and prime minister
1857 - used technicalities to reduce right wing majority
What did the 1850 Siccardi Laws introduce?
no separate church courts
criminals couldn’t seek sanctuary in the church
monasteries restricted in land acquisition
reduction in number of feast days
Who put forward the Siccardi Laws?
Giuseppe Siccardi
How was Cavour implement his anti-clerical beliefs?
1855 - dissolution of 152 monasteries, 1700 benefices which added £145,000 to state income
1857 - sacked Rattazzi, ended the Connubio because the right wing began to have sympathy for church
