Second Italian War of Independence

The Second Italian War of Independence[lower-alpha 1] was a war fought by the Second French Empire and the Kingdom of Sardinia against the Austrian Empire in 1859. The event played an important role in the Italian Unification.

Napoleon III at the Battle of Solferino, by Jean-Louis-Ernest Meissonier, oil on canvas, 1863

Background

A year before the war, France agreed in the Plombières Agreement to support Sardinia's attempts to expel Austria from Italy. In return, France will gain territory in the Duchy of Savoy and the County of Nice. The two signed a military alliance in January 1859, and Sardinia mobilized its army on 9 March 1859. On 23 April, Austria sent an ultimatum to Sardinia that demanded its demobilization. When Sardinia rejected the ultimatum, Austria invaded the country, and France declared war on Austria on 3 May.

Notes
  1. also called the Sardinian War, the Austro-Sardinian War, and the Franco-Austrian War
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