Napoleon III Rule (jan 1, 1848 – jan 1, 1870)
Description:
Napoleon III and France had a very large role in the Italian unification process. One of the largest parts was the weakening of and aid against Austria and their militaristic power. They helped the kingdom of Sardinia drive out the Austrian empire in Lombardy in the Second Italian War of Independence, following the Plombieres agreement between Napoleon and Count Cavour. They maintained the balance of power, allowing Italy to blossom into a unified state.
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