Austria played an integral part for the failure of Italian revolutionaries in between the years 1820-1849, due to their incredible influence throughout Europe at that time, being known as a superpower. Their military strength shone through, and crushed every revolution between 1820 and 1849. However, they are not the sole reason for failure. There are also other important factors that contributed to the failure of Italian revolutionaries, such as the lack of communication between leaders, and lack of foreign support.
Austria was responsible for the failure of the Italian revolutionaries due to two main reasons: their strict Chancellor Metternich, and the strength and efficiency of their army.
Austria was responsible for the failures of the Italian revolutionaries due to the influence of their chancellor, Metternich. The impact of Austria in Italy was felt before the first revolution in 1820. Due to the defeat of Napoleon in the Battle of Waterloo, 1815, the Holy Alliance (containing Prussia, Russia and Austria) ensured that France’s power was severely limited. In order to do this, land from Italy was distributed to Austria, as a way of enticing Austria to protect Italy from French expansion. The lands of Lombardy and Venetia came under the influence of the Austrians, due to the Congress of Vienna. The Austrian Chancellor Metternich, was therefore alarmed when he heard of revolutions occurring in Italy, as it made him think that the three states: Naples, Sicily and the Papal states, were challenging his authority, and this would have an impact on Austria, as it would have reduced trade between the two countries. Metternich explicitly states that “Italian affairs do not exist”, scorning the idea of a united Italy. When the revolution of Naples was successful, Metternich rapidly called together the Great Powers of Europe, and managed to convince