Among these moderate liberals, one school favoured a federation of states under the presidency of the Pope. These were the neo-guelphs led by Gioberti whose book On the Moral and Civil Primacy of the Italians was the representative of the political view. The other school led by Balbo advocated the extrusion of Austria by a peaceful means if possible and the reorganization of Italy under the Monarchy of Piedmont.
The impact of Italian Risorgimento could well be felt in 1848 - 1849 Revolution. It was a liberal national revolution under which tide all the rulers were obliged to promulgate a liberal constitution to their respective states. The liberal revolution in each Italian state was seen examined in a national liberties movement under Piedmont against Austria following 'the Five Days of Milan' and the proclamation of a Venetian Republic under Xannim. Under the impact of this tide, Charles Albert of Piedmont, the Pope and even the Naples sent troops to expel the Austrians from the northern Italian plains. As a romantist, Charles Albert believed that 'Italy will do it alone.' But his illusion was soon shattered by his defeat in the Battle of Sustozza (July 1848) and the Battle of Novara (March 1849). The Austrian Sword was proved to be mightier. Moreover, particularism and forces of conservatism in the Italian peninsula were still predominant and the formation of a common front against Austria was seen rendered abortive by the withdrawal of the Papal and Neapolitan troops. In the height of Italian national revolution Mazzini and Garibaldi in early 1849 proclaimed the establishment of the Roman Republic. Despite its collapse owing to the joint intervention of Austria, France and Spain, it was the most memorable episode of Italian nationalism which from then on was fast expanding. After 1849, Italian nationalism took a more realistic form of struggle.
The Italian war against Austria in 1859 was initially prepared by Cavour of Piedmont with military aid from Napoleon III of France for the expulsion of Austrians from North Italy and ultimately the establishment of an Upper Italian Kingdom of Piedmont, Lombardy, Venetia, Parama, Modena and Papal Legation.
