Austro-Piedmontese War

The Austro-Piedmontese War of 1848–1849, also known as the First Italian War of Independence, was a conflict during the Italian unification movement. It began when Charles Albert, king of Sardinia-Piedmont, declared war on Austria in March 1848, inspired by revolutions across Europe.1

Despite initial advances, Piedmontese forces were ultimately defeated by Austrian troops under Field Marshal Joseph Radetzky, notably at the Battle of Custoza in July 1848 and decisively at the Battle of Novara in March 1849. These defeats, partly due to a lack of support from other Italian states and internal divisions, led to an armistice and a treaty that imposed a heavy indemnity on Piedmont. The war's outcome resulted in the abdication of Charles Albert in favor of his son, Victor Emmanuel II, and reinforced Austrian dominance in northern Italy.213