Secondly, the Italian Unification was a result of foreign aids from Prussia because Prussia needed Piedmont’s help during war against Austria. To do this, Prussia helped gain Venetia if Piedmont agrees to help Prussia against Austria. This was under the secret alliance that they created in 1866 where Piedmont agreed to join the Austro-Prussian was. The terms were, if Piedmont helped,
Germany at the time was the most powerful single country in Europe, but it’s weak allies required Germany’s support on their various fronts. Italy refused to enter WW1 and remained neutral. The lure of territorial gains convinced Italy to side with the Allies in May 1915. Russia had an alliance with Serbia and that brought the military efforts of both nations together to fight against the Central Powers. The core of the Allies was the treaty between France and Russia.
“To what extent was the unification of Italy due to the weakness of Austria?” Throughout Europe between 1815 and 1848 swept feelings of nationalism and a desire for unification, including the states collectively known as Italy. This lack of identity was underlined when Count Metternich said “Italy is just a geographical expression.” Nationalism promoted the belief in one language, one culture and the pride in one’s identity. Before unification, life in Italy was frustrating for those who wanted unification. The North and the South states were economically different; the pope influenced the central states. Nevertheless, the process began from 1861 and by 1871 boundaries had been settled.
In 1858, Cavour and Napoleon III met at Plombieres. They agreed that the price of the French help was the return of Nice and Savoy to France. It is argued that Napoleon helped Piedmont because he wanted to substitute French influence for Austrian influence in Italy. In 1859, French armies, together with Piedmontese, defeated Austrians in Lombardy. Although France did not help Piedmont to take Venetia later, France did help Piedmont to unify Lombardy as stated in the Treaty of Villafranca of 1859.
The British did not want to have war, but after hearing about the ultimatum that was sent to Belgium, Britain sent an ultimatum to Germany asking them to respect that Belgium was neutral. Germany refused, and on August 4th Britain declared war on Germany. In late August, Japan joined in on the war on the side of the allies. Turkey soon joined the war on the side of the Central Powers. By the end of 1914 the central powers consisted of Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, and
The subsequent rise of nationalism in Prussian politics and deterioration of Austro-Prussian relations ensured that, by 1866, Prussia could defeat her nearest rivals in just six weeks. Upon initial examinations, the outcome of the events of 1848-49 seems to be a total failure of liberalism, with tradition feudal rulers resurfacing and democracy disposed of. Even as a vehement liberal supporter, JS Mill admitted that support for nationalism so far outweighed that for liberalism that the people were “willing to abet their rulers in crushing… liberty and independence.” The manifestation of liberalism through the Frankfurt Parliament was wholly unsuccessful, with only illusory powers to its name leading to a reliance on the traditional forces of the Austrian and Prussian armies. Frederick William IV’s labelling of the German crown as “a diadem moulded out of the dirt and dregs of revolution, disloyalty and treason” proved the Parliament’s lack of authority and the renewed power of the traditional ruling monarchy. Germany’s “first flirtation with… parliamentary democracy” ended in dissolution in 1849, seemingly demonstrating the political insignificance of the 1848 revolutions on Germany.
However, from my points of view, Cavour hindered the process of Italian Unification. Although he died in 1861, the year before the unification was achieved, he intended to delay or even prevented the unification in his mind. Nothing to say, Cavour made Piedmont economically progressive, politically liberal and financially stable through many reform programmes after he became the Prime Minister in 1852. From administrative aspect, he encouraged reforms in the army, state administration and legal systems; in trade and industry, he pioneered scientific agriculture, negotiated trade treaties and introduced new industries and he encouraged overseas investors and advisors to help in the economic development of Piedmont; in the communication network, schemes were initiated for the piecing of Mont Cenis by a rail tunnel and for turning Genoa into a great commercial port. Cavour did many things and has many contributions to Italy.
Italian Unification, 1815- 1870 Background • After the Napoleonic wars and French rule 1796-1815 the fate of Italy was decided at the Congress of Vienna in 1815 by Austria, Prussia, Britain and Russia • The Vienna Settlement insisted Italy returned to the divided state system, absolutist rulers be restored, and that Lombardy and Venetia would be annexed and ruled by Austria • The absolutist rulers of states were told not to give into liberal and national demands, and Austria would give military support if it got out of hand. 1820-21 revolution- Naples, Sicily and Piedmont • SPAIN- revolution in Spain against absolutist monarchy started the domino effect. • NAPLES- the Cabonari, liberals and middle class demanded an end to absolutism, demanded constitutional monarchy, middle class involvement in politics and personal freedoms. • PIEDMONT- the Cabonari, liberals and middle class demanded an end to the reactionary ruler of Victor Emmanuel I and constitutional government • SICILY- before the 19th century Sicily had been independent of Naples, and they wanted independence back as many felt the king of Naples did not pay attention to Sicilian problems. 18131-33 revolution- Parma, Modena and Bologna (papal states) • FRANCE- revolutions in France create the domino effect, revolutionaries in Italy though the new liberal king of France would help them against their absolutist rulers and Austria • THE PAPAL STATES- the Cabonari, liberals and middle class demanded an end to absolutism, demanded constitutional monarchy, middle class involvement in politics and personal freedoms.
This had serious consequences for not only Abyssinia but also the survival of the League itself and its principle of “collective security” In April 1935 the Stresa Front was formed, it was triggered by Germany's declaration of its intention to build up an air force, to increase the size of its army. It did not last long, However, falling apart when the Italians broke the peace with their attack on Abyssinia in October 1935.There a number of reasons why Italy’s fascist leader, Benito Mussolini, targeted Abyssinia for annexation in the mid-1930s, one was a retry of their failure attempt in 1896. Italy had previously been at war with Abyssinia but failed miserably, losing a huge amount of men and an enormous amount of casualties. The casualty rate suffered by Italian forces at the Battle of Adowa alone was greater than any other major European battle of the 19th century, beyond even the Napoleonic Era's infamous Waterloo and Eylau. The well-trained modern Italian forces had been defeated by backward, poorly equipped Abyssinian tribesmen.
A few years later, a crisis arose in the Balkans, as a result of which, the Dreikaiserbund was terminated. In 1877, the Russo-Turkish war broke out with Russia defeating the Turks in 1878. After fierce resistance, the Turks surrendered and signed the Treaty of San Stefano. By signing this treaty, Russia acquired greater influence in the Balkans. Nevertheless, Austria-Hungary did not accept this settlement but on the other hand Bismarck was eager to prevent a