Second Italian War of Independence

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The Second Italian War of Independence (29 April – 11 July 1859), also known as the Austro-Sardinian War, was a conflict fought by the Kingdom of Sardinia and the Second French Empire against the Austrian Empire. It was a crucial event in the Italian unification process, also known as the Risorgimento.

Background[edit | edit source]

The war was part of the broader movement for Italian unification, which sought to consolidate the various independent states of the Italian Peninsula into a single nation-state. The Kingdom of Sardinia, under the leadership of Victor Emmanuel II and his prime minister Count Cavour, sought to expel Austrian influence from northern Italy.

Prelude[edit | edit source]

In January 1859, Napoleon III of France and Count Cavour met at Plombières-les-Bains to discuss a potential alliance against Austria. France agreed to support Sardinia in exchange for the territories of Nice and Savoy.

The War[edit | edit source]

The war began on 29 April 1859 when Austria declared war on Sardinia. The French army, led by Napoleon III, joined the Sardinian forces. Key battles included the Battle of Magenta and the Battle of Solferino, both of which resulted in victories for the Franco-Sardinian alliance.

Battle of Magenta[edit | edit source]

The Battle of Magenta took place on 4 June 1859 and was a decisive victory for the Franco-Sardinian forces. This battle significantly weakened Austrian control over Lombardy.

Battle of Solferino[edit | edit source]

The Battle of Solferino occurred on 24 June 1859 and was one of the largest battles of the war. The victory at Solferino led to the signing of the Armistice of Villafranca.

Aftermath[edit | edit source]

The war concluded with the Treaty of Zurich in November 1859. As a result, Austria ceded Lombardy to France, which then transferred it to Sardinia. This victory was a significant step towards the unification of Italy, which was completed in 1871.