In 1859, Austria declared war against Piedmont. According to the alliance of Plombieres, Napoleon sent his army to help Piedmont against Austria. Thus Austria had to face the joint armies of France and Piedmont.
The sympathy of other European powers was also with Piedmont and they blamed Austria for declaring war against Piedmont. In the words of Hazen:
“The public opinion of other nations blamed Austria and exonerated Piedmont, most unjustly, for this war was Cavour’s, desired by him and brought about by him with extraordinary skill.
That he had succeeded in throwing the whole responsibility for it on his enemy was only further evidence of the cunning of his fine Italian hand.”
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Austria was badly defeated in two great battles, namely, the battle of Magenta and the battle of Solferino. The state of Lombardy was conquered from Austria. It seemed that Venetia could also be easily conquered and Austria would be driven out of Italy very soon.
But Napoleon changed his decision at once and ordered his army to come back from the battlefield. Lipson has rightly observed:
“But misfortune still continued to mar the destiny of Italy, for the moment she was about to drain her cup of triumph it was again dashed from her lips.”
Napoleon III changed his policy because he became apprehensive about the results of his policy. He was in favour of the independence of Italy but he disliked her unity.
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He thought that if Italy could be united into a strong nation, it would be more dangerous to France. He was filled with consternation at the wild national tempest sweeping over Italy all the way from the Alps to the straits of Messina.
On July 11, 1859, Napoleon III sought an interview with the Emperor of Austria at Villafranca and concluded a treaty in which it was decided that Lombardy should be given to Piedmont but Venetia should remain under the dominance of Austria.
The rulers of Modena, Tuscany and Parma should be restored. The states of Italy should form a confederation under the president ship of the Pope. In this way, the treaty of Villafranca went against the treaty of Plombieres.
The people of Italy were deeply disappointed by the treacherous attitude of Napoleon III. Cavour completely lost his self-control and advised his king Victor Emmanuel II not to accept the treaty of Villafranca and continue war against Austria.
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He also advised him to take necessary action against Napoleon III. But the king did not agree with the views of Cavour. He felt that though they had not gained all they had hoped for, yet it was better to accept what had been achieved, and they should prepare themselves for the future.
Thus, the differences arose between them and Cavour resigned from his post. But, he was again appointed as the Prime Minister shortly after a period of six months.
It is clear from the above that although Austria could not be driven out of Italy due to the treachery of Napoleon III, yet Piedmont could manage to get Lombardy from Austria.