The formation of the national society meant that the Piedmont also had allies in their race to unify Italy; although he national society had slightly different goals they are both fighting for the same end. Therefore Piedmont has external support.
Piedmont did not only become the focus of attention due to its economic situation and advanced transport facilities. The Crimean war of 1854 between Russia and Turkey meant that Piedmont were able to show her support for the rest of the world even though hardly any Piedmontese soldiers saw the frontline. The fact that Piedmont had been involved meant an invitation to the congress of Paris to sign the treaty in 1856. This alone was enough to give the Piedmont the recognition she needed to set motion in for the war with Austria, her only route to unification!
In 1857 Cavour made secret approaches to Napoleon III and actually met the emperor at Plombieres in 1858. Upon meeting the emperor Cavour was satisfied,
“As soon as I entered the Emperor's study, he raised the question which was the purpose of my journey. He began by saying that he had decided to support Piedmont with all his power in a war against Austria, provided that the war was undertaken for a non-revolutionary end which could be justified in the eyes of diplomatic circles—and still more in the eyes of French and European public opinion.”
Source taken from
CAVOUR, from Baden-Baden, to Victor Emanuel, July 24, I858.
Napoleon had promised to help if the Austrians attacked Sardinia. All this documented in a treaty “Plombieres agreement” signed in 1859. In return France was promised Savoy and Nice if Lombardy and Venetia were removed from Austrian control.
All this success in such a short time meant that Piedmont was able to begin planning war with Austria. The problem faced by Cavour was faced with now was persuading the rest of Europe not to look in dis taste at France.
“First I suggested that we could use the grievances occasioned by Austria's bad faith in not carrying out her commercial treaty.”
“To this the Emperor answered that a petty commercial question could not be made the occasion for a great war designed to change the map of Europe.”
Cavour’s idea to base it on a commercial treaty seemed petty to Napoleon so he suggested that they revive the objections we had made at the Congress of Paris against the illegitimate extension of Austrian power in Italy: for instance, the treaty of 1847 between Austria and the Dukes of Parma and Modena; the prolonged Austrian occupation of the Romagna and the Legations; the new fortifications at Piacenza. This argument however wasn’t enough for France and Britain to intervene on Piedmont’s behalf.
The emperor came to Cavour’s aid leading to discussion about each and every state in Italy looking for a strong enough reason to initiate a war. After looking over the whole of the peninsula they both arrived at Massa and Carrara (two small duchies owned by the Duke of Modena; under martial law imposed by Austrian troops). Cavour and Napoleon agreed on instigating the people of Massa and Carrara to petition Victor Emanuel asking protection and even demanding the annexation of the Duchies to Piedmont. This Your Majesty would decline, but you would take note of the Duke of Modena’s oppressive policy. The Duke, confident of Austrian support, would reply impertinently. Thereupon Victor Emanuel would occupy Massa, and the war could begin.
Alas the Plombieres agreement was a success and the wheel of war could be set in motion. Fearing Austrian attack Cavour persuaded parliament to give him a war loan and he trained an army and gave command of a large force to Garibaldi. 23rd April 1859 and Austria sent the Piedmont an ultimatum insisting that they disarm. He refused and on the 27th April 1859 Austrian troops attacked the Piedmont. French troops were sent in to help and together they defeated the Austrians at Magenta and Solfreino. These quick victories rallied massive support in Italy but caused Britain and Prussia to become suspicious. Prussia began to mobilize troops, faced with this along with catholic criticism from France Napoleon III signed a secret treaty with Franz Josef of Austria. Cavour had not been consulted on the terms of the treaty and resigned in rage. However due to central Italian states refusing to accept it caused a spontaneous revolution. Cavour quickly returned to office and encouraged the states to demand plebiscites. As a result of this plebiscite Parma, Modena, Tuscany and Bologna all declared union with Piedmont and in 1861 the first Italian Parliament met at Turin. This now known as the north Italian Kingdom was Piedmont’s first success towards the total unification of Italy.
Revolution in Sicily provoked Garibaldi to take his thousand men to help the revolutionaries. He was soon in control and crossed over into Naples where he soon had a firm hand. Garibaldi planned to attack Rome so Cavour fearing international intervention took Victor Emanuel’s troops to Naples who soon voted for union with the Piedmont. The unification was complete all that was left was Rome, which Cavour insisted must be the capital. Cavour died 6th June 1861.
Italy was finally united in 1870 due to the withdrawal of French troops from Rome.
Piedmont was the focus of attention throughout the process due mainly to the efforts of Cavour and the war with Austria. Piedmonts success in becoming the focus of attention was due to her political and economical status at the time. Piedmonts role in Unification was by far the most significant as she commanded the greater army and held the most stable economy in Italy!