Struggle in Russia

In 1846 Gregory XVI, the lackey of the Austrians, died. The Italians didn't like the pope who had been controlled by Austria, and they didn't feel sorry for his death at all.

The whole Catholic world, or the whole of Italy, is more concerned about who the next pope will be. At that time, Pius IX was not particularly outstanding, neither his ability nor his qualifications seemed like he could be elected Pope.

But surprisingly, after only two days of closed-door discussions in the College of Cardinals, the liberal-leaning cardinal defeated Luci Lambruschini to be elected the new pope.

To be honest, it did amaze the Catholic world. Because the always conservative Catholic Cardinals actually elected a new pope who seemed more liberal. One-time Italian liberals rejoiced and had considerable expectations for the new pope.

Pius IX was like that when he came to power. After taking office, he appointed liberals as the Minister of State of the Papal State, announced the amnesty of political fans, and introduced a number of reform measures to manage the Papal State and Rome.

All seemed rosy, but by the end of 1847, things had changed. Facing the Italian unification movement sweeping across the Apennines and the Italians' calls for unification, the enlightened pope hesitated.

In fact, it cannot be said to be hesitant, because from the beginning to the end, the new pope of Italian origin cannot be a pope who can promote the unification of Italy. After all, the position under his butt was not given by the Italians. Without the nods of France and Austria, how could he become Pope?

That is to say, whether it is to reciprocate, or to protect one's life out of prudence. If he wanted to continue to be pope safely, Pius IX must respect the interests of France and Austria. Let him sing the praises of the Italian unification movement, he is not an old birthday star who is tired of eating arsenic.

Anyway, the former moderate liberal pope immediately became conservative, pouring cold water on the Italian unification movement in various public occasions, and even openly criticized it. This undoubtedly makes those who yearn for Italian unification quite unhappy.

For example, Mazzini, such as Garibaldi, such as Carlo Alberto, the benefactor behind them. As the most powerful kingdom of Sardinia among the divided Italian states, and as a collateral branch of the Savoy royal family, which has little relationship with Austria, he has not forgotten that he was beaten by the previous pro-Austrian relatives scene.

Whether it is revenge or personal ambition, the Italian unification movement is beneficial to Carlo Alberto. Therefore, Pius IX's anti-tune to the Italian unification movement is to anti-tune with him.

In Carlo Alberto's view, it is a very realistic choice to win the Pope and the Papal State through a war. The reason is very simple, because among the eight countries in Italy, apart from the Papal State and the Kingdom of Sardinia, the remaining six countries are actually inextricably linked to France and Austria.

Among them, the Austrian Empire directly governs the Kingdom of Lombardy-Venice, as well as the three principalities of Tuscany, Parma, Modena and Luga that are indirectly controlled by the Austrian Empire, and finally the Spanish Bourbon system of the French Bourbon Dynasty Kingdom of the Two Sicilies ruled by descendants.

This also determines that if Carlo Alberto does not want to directly conflict with Austria, there are very few countries that can choose to operate. There are only the Papal States and the Kingdom of Two Sicilies to pick and choose.

Among them, the two Kingdoms of Sicily cannot be moved. After all, they are descendants of the Bourbon dynasty, and they can be regarded as the private land of the French in Italy. Moreover, the mother of the current King Fernando II of the Kingdom of Two Sicilies is an Austrian princess. Even if it has relations with France and Austria, it is not easy to make up your mind casually.

To put it bluntly, Carlo Alberto had very little choice. He has no choice but the Papal State. First of all, the military power of the Papal State is very weak and easy to deal with. Secondly, the people of the Papal State have serious anti-Austrian sentiments.

It's easy to incite. In the end, winning the Papal State will be more beneficial to his next stage of action!

Why?

The reason is very simple, the Pope has been dealt with, and under the threat of bayonet from Carlo Alberto, he can do whatever he wants Pius IX to say. At that time, under the encouragement of the Pope, all Catholics in Italy will definitely stand with him. At that time, even if he goes to war with Austria, he will not be afraid.

At that time, he who has gathered all the power of Italy will only need to defeat the old Austria. What Tuscany, what Parma, what Modena, and Luga are all native chickens and dogs. When his iron hooves are reached, they either bow their heads or bow their heads or the people spontaneously throw away the pots and milk to welcome the king.

At that time, there will be little resistance left in the whole of Italy. Maybe he will run it for another ten or eight years, and Lombardy-Venecia and the Two Sicilies will not be a big problem.

As long as these two little followers of the Austrians and the French are solved, will he be far from the position of the king of Italy?

Therefore, Carlo Alberto has already prepared Pius IX against him. On the one hand, he is preparing to incite the people of the Papal State to fight for more "freedom". On the other hand, he is also actively preparing to send troops to intervene after Pius IX suppresses the people. .

On the one hand, Carlo Alberto was actively preparing for the war, and on the other hand, he also united those who were actively working for the unification of Italy. Such as Mazzini, such as Garibaldi. With his acquiescence and fueling the flames, these two were able to conduct public activities in the Kingdom of Sardinia, and only then could they play a huge role in the future.

It's just that not everyone is optimistic about Carlo Alberto's ambitions. Cavour is more realistic and sober. Born in a great aristocratic family, he understands how stubborn and powerful the old European order is than Mazzini and Garibaldi.

Whether it is Austria or France, it will never give up Italy's interests. Moreover, although the Papal State looks weak, it is not something that the Kingdom of Sardinia can handle casually.

"What if the Pope doesn't cooperate?" Cavour asked a very real question. "What if the Pope flatly refuses to cooperate?"

Both Mazzini and Garibaldi were silent, because they hardly thought about this issue. They always believed that Pius IX, as a pure Italian and a moderate liberal, should be sympathetic to the Italian unification movement.

They believe that the pope's previous opposition and throwing cold water were just a forced statement under the pressure of Austria, which is helpless. So as long as the pope is "liberated" from the Austrian bayonet, the pope will inevitably stand on Italy's side again.

Cavour sighed again, and said helplessly: "Gentlemen, I have dealt with the Pope, and I should be able to understand him better. With all due respect, he is more stubborn and determined than you imagined. He is not the kind of easy-talking People. You have to think about what to do if the Pope refuses to cooperate?!"