Time for a change
THE REVOLUTION
New Era
The 1848 revolutions in the Italian states were organized revolts in the states of Italy led by brilliant and anxious people who desired a liberal government. As Italian nationalists they thought to eliminate reactionary Austrian control. During this time period, Italy was still not a unified country, and was divided into many states, which, in Northern Italy, were ruled by the Austrian Empire. A desire to be free from foreign rule, and the conservative leadership of the Austrians, led the Italian people to stage a revolution in order to drive out the Austrians. The revolution was led by the state of Piedmont, one of the four states where the Austrian leaders were forced to grant liberal rights. Also, the uprisings in the Kingdom of Lombardy–Venetia, particularly in Milan, forced the Austrian General Radetsky to retreat to the Quadrilatero fortresses.