Pearson Edexcel · A-Level · History
Course version: 9HI0 · Version from Sept 2015
The unification of Italy, c1830–70 - 3 The creation of the Kingdom of…
Full specification wording
Paper 2, Option 2D.1: The unification of Italy, c1830–70 - 3 The creation of the Kingdom of Italy, 1856–61: Causes of the Second Italian War of Independence, and its outbreak: support from Piedmont for nationalists; relations with Napoleon III; significance of the Orsini Affair and Pact of Plombières; the preparation for and outbreak of war with Austria.
This topic examines why war between Piedmont-Sardinia and Austria broke out in 1859.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 9HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 1 of 4
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
This topic examines why war between Piedmont-Sardinia and Austria broke out in 1859. Piedmont, under Cavour, actively supported nationalists across Italy, funding newspapers, welcoming exiles and tolerating volunteer movements, which raised tensions with Austria. Cavour also cultivated Napoleon III, whose sympathy for Italian nationalism was tempered by French interests. The Orsini Affair of 1858, when an Italian revolutionary attempted to assassinate Napoleon III, convinced the emperor that doing nothing risked further radical violence, so he met Cavour at Plombières in July 1858. There they agreed that France would aid Piedmont if Austria attacked, in return for Nice and Savoy. Cavour then prepared for war by mobilising troops and seeking a pretext; Austria’s ultimatum in April 1859 allowed him to cast Piedmont as the victim, and war began.
What earns the marks
- Explains how Piedmont supported nationalists through subsidies, refuge and volunteer corps, and how this provoked Austria.
- Analyses Cavour’s diplomatic relationship with Napoleon III, including shared aims and French self-interest.
- Assesses the significance of the Orsini Affair in pushing Napoleon III towards intervention.
- Explains the terms and importance of the Pact of Plombières, including the conditional French alliance and territorial price.
- Evaluates the preparations for war, such as mobilisation and the search for a casus belli, and how Austria’s ultimatum triggered the outbreak.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Treating Plombières as an unconditional French promise to fight.
Put it right: French aid depended on Austria being seen as the aggressor.
Assuming the Orsini Affair made Napoleon III a committed Italian nationalist.
Put it right: It mainly made him fear revolution and seek to control it.
Believing Piedmont’s support for nationalists was purely idealistic.
Put it right: It also served Cavour’s aim of expanding Piedmont’s leadership in Italy.
Exam tips
- Link each cause to the outbreak of war, not just to tension, so causation is explicit.
- Use precise dates and terms, such as July 1858 for Plombières and April 1859 for the Austrian ultimatum.
- When discussing Napoleon III, balance French strategic interests with sympathy for nationalists.
Try the lesson
The start of the Paper 2, Option 2D.1: The unification of Italy, c1830–70 - 3 The creation of the Kingdom of Italy, 1856–61: Causes of the Second Italian War of Independence, and its outbreak: support from Piedmont for nationalists; relations with Napoleon III; significance of the Orsini Affair and Pact of Plombières; the preparation for and outbreak of war with Austria. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which agreement was reached between Cavour and Napoleon III at Plombières in July 1858?
Listen
This topic examines why war between Piedmont-Sardinia and Austria broke out in 1859. Piedmont, under Cavour, actively supported nationalists across Italy, funding newspapers, welcoming exiles and tolerating volunteer movements, which raised tensions with Austria. Cavour also cultivated Napoleon III, whose sympathy for Italian nationalism was tempered by French interests. The Orsini Affair of 1858, when an Italian revolutionary attempted to assassinate Napoleon III, convinced the emperor that doing nothing risked further radical violence, so he met Cavour at Plombières in July 1858. There they agreed that France would aid Piedmont if Austria attacked, in return for Nice and Savoy. Cavour then prepared for war by mobilising troops and seeking a pretext; Austria’s ultimatum in April 1859 allowed him to cast Piedmont as the victim, and war began. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explains how Piedmont supported nationalists through subsidies, refuge and volunteer corps, and how this provoked Austria. Analyses Cavour’s diplomatic relationship with Napoleon III, including shared aims and French self-interest. Assesses the significance of the Orsini Affair in pushing Napoleon III towards intervention. Explains the terms and importance of the Pact of Plombières, including the conditional French alliance and territorial price. A common slip: Treating Plombières as an unconditional French promise to fight. Instead, French aid depended on Austria being seen as the aggressor. Exam tip: Link each cause to the outbreak of war, not just to tension, so causation is explicit.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Nationalism and revolution
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Diplomacy and great-power politics
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Cavour’s statecraft
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Causation and trigger events
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Nationalism and revolution
- Piedmont supported nationalists across Italy, which raised tensions with Austria, while the Orsini Affair made Napoleon III fear further radical violence.
- Diplomacy and great-power politics
- Cavour cultivated Napoleon III, whose sympathy for Italian nationalism was tempered by French interests, and agreed that France would aid Piedmont if Austria attacked.
- Cavour’s statecraft
- Piedmont funded newspapers, welcomed exiles and tolerated volunteer movements, then mobilised troops and sought a pretext, casting Piedmont as the victim after Austria’s ultimatum.
- Causation and trigger events
- The Orsini Affair pushed Napoleon III towards intervention, the Pact of Plombières set the conditional alliance, and Austria’s ultimatum in April 1859 triggered the outbreak of war.
There is more to this lesson
The full lesson goes on to check your understanding and help you earn the marks. Create a free account to carry on, with your progress saved.
A week of Premium from your first lesson · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge
Test your understanding of Paper 2, Option 2D.1: The unification of Italy, c1830–70 - 3 The creation of the Kingdom of Italy, 1856–61: Causes of the Second Italian War of Independence, and its outbreak: support from Piedmont for nationalists; relations with Napoleon III; significance of the Orsini Affair and Pact of Plombières; the preparation for and outbreak of war with Austria.
Active recall beats re-reading. Take an instant quiz now to test what you’ve learned and lock it into long-term memory.
A week of Premium from your first lesson · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge