Solving the Venetian question 1861-66 Flashcards
Who did nationalists believe should take charge of solving the Roman and Venetian questions?
Piedmont
Who controlled Venetia until 1866?
Austria
Who headed the Italian Freedom Association (formed in 1861)
Garibaldi
Why did Rattazzi summon Garibaldi to Turin in March 1862?
To discuss possible action in Greece, Serbia and Dalmatia to destabilise Austria (didn’t happen)
In May 1862, what happened to a group of Garibaldi supporters, led by Nullo?
Arrested on the Austrian border for trying to attack Austria?
Garibaldi attempted to engineer armed uprisings against the Hapsburgs in 1862 and 1864 to force the withdrawal of the Austrian army from Italy. Why did these fail?
News of these attempts had leaked out, upsetting foreign diplomats. This forced the Italian government to intervene against Garibaldi.
Why did Garibaldi visit London in 1864?
To use his publicity to raise the issue of Venice
Why did Prussia and Italy see Austria as their common enemy?
Tension between Prussia and Austria over Schleswig-Holstein
What forced Italy to negotiate with Prussia?
An attempt by La Marmora to purchase Venetia for 1000 million lire had failed
Who formed an alliance between Italy and Prussian chancellor Bismarck?
Napoleon III
What agreement did Prussia have with Italy?
Italy would receive Venetia for helping Prussia in the war against Austria
When did Prussia and Italy declare war on Austria?
June 1866
How many men did Italy have?
250,000
How many men did Austria have?
130,000
How many ironclad ships did Italy have?
12
How many ironclad ships did Austria have?
7
What problems did the Italian army have?
- Incompetence of the highest levels of command (including Admiral Persano)
- Badly disorganised
What percentage of the Italian army ever reached the front?
25%
When did the Battle of Custozza take place?
24th June
Why was Italy defeated at Custozza?
Panic and confused orders
Where was Italy defeated in July?
Battle of Lissa
How many ships did Italy lose at Lissa?
3 including the “Re d’Italia”
Why was Italy defeated at Lissa?
The fleet had fired 1450 shells and not scored one major hit
However, where was an Austrian force defeated by Garibaldi?
Bezzecca, 21st July
Where did Prussia defeat Austria?
Sadowa, July 3rd
When was an armistice signed?
26th July
What consequence did the war have on morale?
- The prestige of both the army and monarchy were damaged
- Devastating for the national psyche
- Crispi: “To be Italian was something we once longed for, now in the present circumstances it is shameful”
How did Venetia become part of Italy?
- Austria gave Venetia to France
- Napoleon immediately gave Venetia to Italy
Why did Austria give Venetia to France?
Didn’t want to give any land to an inferior country (Italy)
What was the result of the plebiscite?
- Yes: 647246
- No: 69
What did the war highlight about Italy?
its lack of military independence and power
Why did the outcome war increase tension in Italy
Massive debt had to be repaid:
- church land nationalised
- Grist Tax 1868
How did Cavour die in June 1861?
Malaria
Why did La Marmora resign?
to help lead the army in the war
Other than Persano, how else were the army incompetent?
- Victor Emmanuel was “wholly ignorant and incompetent”
- tension between Caldini and La Marmora (both de facto led the army)
How did the Navy have a shortage of trained crew?
3 largest warships only had 19 gunners each
