ABSTRACT
During Garibaldi's southern campaign, which provided the pretext for Piedmontese intervention and absorption of the greater part of the Papal States, Rome was by-passed. Its future depended on the ambitions of the Italians, the attitude of the powers, the policies of Pio Nono and Cardinal Antonelli, and the ability of Napoleon to juggle his confusing and contradictory commitments. Prior to the proclamation of Italy, Cavour determined that it be parliamentary and eventually include both Venice and Rome. The Italian attempt to acquire Venice proved no easier than the drive for Rome, since the reluctance of Austria to cede Venice equalled that of the Pope to abandon Rome. Finally, like Cavour earlier on, Napoleon recognized that the Austrian-Prussian rivalry in Germany could work to Italy's advantage, forcing the Austrian government to mend its fences in Italy as it prepared to confront Prussia in Germany.
