ABSTRACT
The Italian diplomats at the Congress of Verona served their-countrymen well, though unwittingly: for their victory made clear the way for the triumph of the Risorgimento. The solution is that, in fact, another issue of considerably greater significance for Italy was at stake at Verona: Metternich's plan to impose upon the Italian states a-revolutionary front under Austrian direction. Although Metternich developed his plans in reaction to the Italian revolutions of 1820–1, they marked no break with his earlier policy. But these unfavourable circumstances alone would not have brought about his defeat had it not been for Consalvi, who alone was willing to lead the way in opposition and, skilfully taking advantage of the opportunities presented to him by chance, organized a resistance strong enough to defeat Metternich. Metternich's failure obviously had unfavourable consequences for Austria, whose best chance of strengthening and formalizing her hegemony in Italy was lost thereby.
