Cavour goads Austria toward attacking Sardinia (1858–1859)

Camillo Benso, Count of Cavour, as Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Sardinia, engaged in diplomatic maneuvering in mid-1858 to provoke Austria into war. Following the Plombières agreement, Cavour planned to incite conflict with the Duchy of Modena, forcing Austrian intervention. This strategy relied on a secret verbal agreement with Napoleon III, which facilitated a Franco-Piedmontese military alliance. The diplomatic efforts culminated in the formal treaty signing in January 1859, setting the stage for the Ultimatum of Vienna.

Episodes

Background and detail

Background. Cavour, a leading figure in Italian unification and Prime Minister of Sardinia, sought to expand Piedmont's influence. The assassination attempt on Napoleon III by Felice Orsini in January 1858 paradoxically opened diplomatic avenues between France and Piedmont. Napoleon III began exploring a joint operation against Austria, creating an opportunity for Cavour to secure French support for a war that would challenge Austrian dominance in Italy.

Diplomatic Negotiations. The Plombières Agreement of 21 July 1858 was a secret verbal agreement between Cavour and Napoleon III. Cavour agreed to cede Savoy and Nice to France in exchange for military aid. The plan involved Piedmont provoking war with the Duchy of Modena, obliging Austria to enter the conflict. This arrangement was formalized through the arrival of Bixio in Turin and subsequent confirmations of imperial support.

Provocation and Ultimatum. Following the agreement, Piedmont-Sardinia conducted provocative military movements near the Austro-Piedmontese frontier. Austria, having become aware of the Franco-Sardinian alliance, took the initiative by issuing the Ultimatum of Vienna on 23 April 1859. This diplomatic escalation was rooted in Cavour's strategy to force Austrian intervention.

People involved

Sources

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