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First Italian War of Independence

First Italian War of Independence
Part of the Wars of Italian Unification
Novara Villa Mon Repos 1849 Prina1863.jpg
The Battle of Novara (1849)
Date 23 March 1848 – 24 March 1849
Location Lombardy-Venetia and Piedmont
Result Austrian victory
Territorial
changes
None
Belligerents
Flag of Italy (1861-1946).svg Kingdom of Sardinia
Italy cockade.svg Italian Volunteer Army
Supported by:
Flag of Italy with inscription «Italia libera Dio lo vuole».svg Provisional Government of Milan
Flag of the Republic of Venice 1848-49.gif Republic of San Marco
Bandiera dello Stato della Sicilia (28.04.1848 - 15.05.1849).PNG Kingdom of Sicily
Flag of the Roman Republic (19th century).svg Roman Republic
Austrian Empire Austrian Empire
Commanders and leaders
Flag of Italy (1861-1946).svg King Charles Albert Austrian Empire Josef Radetzky
Strength
Flag of Italy (1861-1946).svg 115.000 men
Italy cockade.svg 22,000 men
Austrian Empire 100,000 men

The First Italian War of Independence was fought in 1848 and 1849 between the Kingdom of Sardinia (Piedmont) and the Austrian Empire. The war saw major battles at Custoza and Novara in which the Austrians under Joseph Radetzky attained victory.

The war was part of the Revolutions of 1848 in the Italian states, which generally saw the reactionary forces triumphant and many rebels forced into exile.


In 1848 revolutionary riots broke out in many parts of Europe, including numerous places in the Apennines and other parts of Italy. Charles Albert of Piedmont (Sardinia) and Leopold II of Tuscany were forced to make concessions to the democrats. Charles II, Duke of Parma was ousted. Sicily, excepting Messina, revolted against the Bourbon Kingdom of the Two Sicilies.

There were also rebellions in the two capitals of the Austrian-controlled Kingdom of Lombardy-Venetia, Milan (the Five Days of Milan) and Venice (the Repubblica di San Marco). With Vienna itself in revolt, the Austrian Empire was tottering.

The Kingdom of Sardinia decided to exploit the apparently favorable moment. Sardinia declared war on Austria, in alliance with the Papal States and the Two Sicilies, and invaded Austria's Italian possessions.


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