Second Italian War of Independence

The 1859 war in which Sardinia-Piedmont and France defeated Austria in northern Italy, advancing the unification of Italy.

Treaty of Plombières: A secret 1858 agreement between Napoleon III and Camillo Benso, Count of Cavour, outlining French support for Sardinia-Piedmont against Austria. It set the diplomatic terms for French intervention in the war.
Camillo Benso, Count of Cavour: The Piedmontese statesman who led Sardinia-Piedmont’s diplomacy and government during the drive for Italian unification. He secured French backing and maneuvered Austria into declaring war.
Kingdom of Italy: The state proclaimed in 1861 that unified most of the Italian peninsula under the House of Savoy. The war’s territorial and political changes helped make its creation possible.
First Italian War of Independence: The 1848–1849 conflict in which Italian states, led by Sardinia-Piedmont, unsuccessfully challenged Austrian power in Italy. Its defeat contrasts with the French-backed victory of 1859.
Henri Dunant: A Swiss humanitarian whose observations of wounded soldiers after Solferino inspired efforts that led to the Red Cross. His response to the battle’s suffering connected the war to organized humanitarian aid.
Battle of Magenta: A major 1859 battle in which Franco-Sardinian forces defeated Austria near Magenta, west of Milan. Its outcome opened the way for the allies to enter Milan.
Napoleon III: Emperor of the French from 1852 to 1870, who intervened in Italy against Austria in 1859. His military support made the Franco-Sardinian alliance possible.
Lombardy: A region of northern Italy that Austria ceded to France, which transferred it to Sardinia-Piedmont in 1859. Its transfer was the principal territorial gain specified at Villafranca.
Third Italian War of Independence: The 1866 conflict in which Italy allied with Prussia against Austria and acquired Venetia. It completed a territorial goal left unresolved by the 1859 war.
International Committee of the Red Cross: A humanitarian organization founded in Geneva in 1863 to protect and assist victims of armed conflict. Its origins trace in part to Dunant’s reaction to Solferino.

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