Villafranca preliminary peace

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The preliminary peace of Villafranca was concluded on July 11, 1859 in Villafranca di Verona between Austria , France and Sardinia-Piedmont during the Northern Italian War . The preliminary peace was later largely confirmed in the final peace of Zurich .

history

On July 8, 1859, the adjutant of Emperor Napoleon III came. General Fleury met in Verona with the chiefs of the Austrian General Staff and both sides agreed a provisional armistice by August 15th . On the same day Napoleon proposed in a letter to the Austrian emperor that we meet in Villafranca in order to find the basis for a comprehensive understanding in a personal discussion. Franz Joseph replied in the affirmative with the condition that this meeting should not remain fruitless.

Three days later, on July 11th, Napoleon III met. and Emperor Franz Joseph in Villafranca for a meeting and both rulers agreed on the peace preliminaries. The final version was then ratified a few days later in a final exchange of letters together with the unilaterally signed copies of the preliminary peace. The Sardinian King Victor Emmanuel II only signed the preliminaries with reservations.

Napoleon saw his war aims achieved. But he had to fear an intervention by the Prussians or the German Confederation in favor of Austria, since a partial mobilization for the Prussian army had already been issued. Franz Joseph was also keen to end the war quickly, since the Austrian state finances were completely exhausted and Hungary, encouraged by the Italian successes, also demanded its independence from Austria. The intervention of Prussia in this war had to be prevented, otherwise Austria would lose its leading position in the German Confederation.

On November 10, 1859, the definitive peace of Zurich was signed with the confirmation of the July 11th peace preliminaries.

content

In the peace preliminaries, the cession of Lombardy , with the exception of the two fortresses Mantua and Peschiera, by Austria to the Emperor of France was agreed. The area was then to be handed over to King Victor Emmanuel of Sardinia-Piedmont. Furthermore, a return of the Grand Duke of Toscana and the Dukes of Modena and Parma , as well as the adoption of a general amnesty by them in their states, was planned. Veneto remained with Austria, but was to join the still-to-be-formed Italian Confederation with the Pope's honorary chairmanship . The Pope was asked to reform his countries. A full amnesty was also guaranteed to all those involved in the conflict.

Excerpt from the preliminary peace of Villafranca on July 11, 1859

"The following is agreed between His Majesty the Emperor of France and His Majesty the Emperor of Austria:"

“The two rulers will promote the formation of an Italian league. This covenant will be under the honor of the Holy Father. The Emperor of Austria surrenders his rights to Lombardy to the Emperor of the French, with the exception of the fortresses Mantua and Peschiera [...] The Emperor will hand over the ceded territory to the King of Sardinia. "
" Veneto will join the Italian Confederation , but remains with the Emperor of Austria [...] "

literature

  • Wilhelm Deutsch: Habsburg withdrawal from Italy. Adolf Luser, Vienna / Leipzig 1940.
  • Gerhard Geißler: European documents from five centuries. Esche, Leipzig 1939.
  • Oskar Jäger : History of the Latest Time. From the Congress of Vienna to the present. (2nd volume); Oswald Seehagen, Berlin 1882.

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