Cavour Developing Piedmonts Economy (4 nov 1852 – 11 mars 1855)

Description:

- as a minister, he supported state investment into railway construction.
- By 1859 Piedmont had 850 km of railways which was almost as much as the rest of Italy put together

- as a liberal he firmly believed in free trade and concluded bilateral trade treaties with Britain, France, Austria, Portugal and Belgium. Tariffs were lowered as well, as a result the volume of trade increased four times.

- factories, iron works and the merchant fleet were also expanded, the national bank was founded.

- Piedmontese fleet was expanded and the merchant fleet and modernised with steam ships (1854) and the first ironclad vessels (1860)

- in 1854-55 religious orders not devoted to education or charity were suppressed. Their property was confiscated by the state, despite opposition from the conservatives and the king! the funds were used to finance the participation of Piedmont in the Crimean War.

- church cannot grant asylum to criminals —> no more influence over legal system from the Church

- From 1852, Cavour’s Connubio provided Piedmont with political stability and prevented conflicts between the right and the left. Strong leadership also allowed Cavour to spread political influence beyond Piedmont.

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