This was prevented by the existence of Duchess Anne Beatrice of Modena because the marriage of Anne Beatrice to Umberto I made a peaceful transfer of Lombardy to Savoy-Piedmont possible while Venice, Friuli, and Trentino remained part of Austria.
The alternative to this was the French who wanted Savoy and Nice, during the Risorgimento the Italians annexed Corsica, Sicily, and Southern Italy from France with Austrian help.
After the collapse of Austria in WWI, Venice became independent with Trentino and Istria and the country became a target of Italian irredentism even in the present although it has lessened.
What if Anne Beatrice never survived and Umberto I married Margaret of Savoy.
Anne Beatrice has her own problems, the marriage caused Italians to have a claim to Britain, which resurged the Jacobite sentiment in Ireland.
The alternative to this was the French who wanted Savoy and Nice, during the Risorgimento the Italians annexed Corsica, Sicily, and Southern Italy from France with Austrian help.
After the collapse of Austria in WWI, Venice became independent with Trentino and Istria and the country became a target of Italian irredentism even in the present although it has lessened.
What if Anne Beatrice never survived and Umberto I married Margaret of Savoy.
Anne Beatrice has her own problems, the marriage caused Italians to have a claim to Britain, which resurged the Jacobite sentiment in Ireland.
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