What were the alliances in Italy before the unification?

Before Sardinia unified the peninsula, there were 7 nations in it; the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, the Kingdom of Sardinia, the Papal States, the Kingdom of Lombardy–Venetia, the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, the Duchy of Parma, and the Duchy of Modena.

I am doing a timeline featuring a disunified Italy and was wondering, what positions did these nations hold in the balance of power? Which were allied, which were enemies and what their relations with the great powers were.
 
In a sentence, they're all in the pocket of the Habsburgs with the possible exception of the Two Sicilies, who had a somewhat more independent policy.
 
if Kingdom of Sardinia still wants North Italy, I could see it ally with France, on other hand if does not it could ally with Austria against France
 
I don't see the Papal states getting involved especially against catholic nations unless it is attacked

Agreed. The Papacy needs, like the other client monarchies, to keep the loyal military around so they can use those bayonets to picket their thrones against Liberal insurrections. The reactionary Papal States, in particular, need that as they're the least capable of limited molifying through constitutional reforms.
 
In a sentence, they're all in the pocket of the Habsburgs with the possible exception of the Two Sicilies, who had a somewhat more independent policy.

Pretty much this.

I am doing a timeline featuring a disunified Italy and was wondering, what positions did these nations hold in the balance of power? Which were allied, which were enemies and what their relations with the great powers were.

Sardinia: propped up by all Great Powers to be a buffer against French expansion; is nominal protector of the Principality of Monaco. Still needs to be somewhat friendly towards her big neighbor(s). Before 1848, doesn't have particular interest in Pan-Italianism.

Lombardy-Venetia: nominally the strongest, but held by the Emperor of Austria, who has zero interest in adding more Italians to his domains. Is a tool to ensure continued balkanization of Italy.

Modena/Massa/Parma/Lucca/Tuscany: all held by Habsburg nobles and client States of Austria.

Papal States: very committed to preserving Papal secular power. De facto client of the stronger Catholic monarch willing/able to lend assistance (before 1848, Austria).

Two Sicilies: moderately independent, though subject to UK penetration as part of their Mediterranean policy. Good relations with the Pope.
 
Last edited:
Top