During the period of the Franco-Sardinian-Austrian war, the people of the north-central states of Italy, namely Parma, Modena, and Tuscany revolted against their autocratic rulers. The rulers had to flee.
The people of these states were inclined to incorporate their states with Piedmont. But their rulers were restored according to the treaty of Villafranca.
As they were not satisfied with these decisions, they continued their agitation for independence. Fortunately, Lord Palmerston, the Prime Minister of England, supported the Italian movement. He declared:
“The people of the duchies have as much right to change their sovereigns as the English people, or the French or the Belgian, or the Swedish. The annexation of the duchies to Piedmont will be an unfathomable good to Italy.”
ADVERTISEMENTS:
Although the people of the north-central states proposed annexation of these states to Piedmont, yet Cavour was apprehensive of the opposition of Napoleon III. Cavour promised to give Savoy and Nice to Napoleon III if he would give recognition to this annexation.
After the consent of Napoleon III, the people of these states voted unanimously in favour of annexation. Consequently, these states were annexed to Piedmont and thus, the unification of the north-central Italy was completed.
Victor Emmanuel II became the sovereign of the newly created confederation. On April 2, 1860, the first and historical convention of the parliament of united Italy was held in Turin. Savoy and Nice were given to France.
Savoy was the ancestral state of Victor Emmanuel while Nice was the birthplace of Garibaldi. It was a very painful decision to both of them. But Cavour was an able diplomat. He agreed to give up these states in the interest of the nation. He declared:
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“The act that has made this gulf between us, was the most painful duty of my life. By what I have felt myself I know what Garibaldi must have felt. If he refuses me his forgiveness I cannot reproach him for it.”