After achieving a victory over Venice, Napoleon advanced towards Vienna, the capital of Austria. He proposed, if Austria recognized the supremacy of France over Lombardy then the war would not be waged and Venice would be given to Austria.
The Emperor of Austria helpless before the mighty forces of Napoleon surrendered before him and a treaty of Campo Formio was concluded on 17th of October 1797. The following were the provisions of this treaty:
1. Austria gave Belgium to France.
2. The province of Rhine situated between Austria and Germany was also handed over to France.
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3. Italy also accepted the supremacy of France over Lombardy.
4. In return for all these concessions Napoleon gave Austria, Dalmatia and Estria of Venice state and western part of Venice was included in the Cis-Alpine Republic.
Importance of this Treaty
1. This treaty proved beneficial for both the parties. Austria got Venice in place of Lombardy. Austria was not sorry to lose Belgium to France as there was great discontentment Belgium.
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2. By this treaty Napoleon for the first time tried to change the map of European states. Later on, this procedure continued till his downfall.
3. The changes brought about by the provisions of this treaty were against the principles of revolution.
The invasion against Austria proved fruitful for Italy also. So far Italy was divided into many small states completely deprived of political unity but Napoleon himself said after this invasion: “It is time that Italy should be counted among the free and powerful nations.”
Keeping in view this aim, Napoleon established Cis-Alpine Republic by uniting all the Italian states and made several internal reforms to make Italy a happy and prosperous country.