The Restoration.—The restoration in Tuscany was unaccom panied by the excesses which characterized it elsewhere, and much of the French legislation was retained. Ferdinand was succeeded in 1824 by his son, Leopold II., who continued his father's policy of benevolent but enervating despotism. When the political excitement consequent on the election of Pius IX. spread to Tuscany, Leopold, in Feb. 1848, granted a constitution. A Tuscan contingent took part in the Piedmontese campaign against Austria, but the increase of revolutionary agitation in Tuscany, culminating in the proclamation of the republic (Feb. 9, led to Leopold's departure for Gaeta to confer with the pope and king of Naples. Disorder continuing, he was invited to return, and he did so, but accepted the protection of an Austrian army, by which act he forfeited his popularity (July 1849). In 1852 he formally abrogated the constitution, and three years later the Austrians departed. When in 1859 a second war between Pied mont and Austria became imminent, the revolutionary agitation broke out once more. There was a division of opinion between the moderates, who favoured a constitutional Tuscany under Leopold, but forming part of an Italian federation, and the popular party, who aimed at the unity of Italy under Victor Emmanuel.
At last a compromise was arrived at and the grand duke was requested to abdicate in favour of his son, grant a constitution, and take part in the war against Austria. Leopold having rejected these demands, the Florentines rose as one man and obliged him to quit Tuscany (April 27, 1859).
Union with the Italian Kingdom.—A provisional govern ment, led by Ubaldino Peruzzi and afterwards by Bettino Ricasoli, was established. It declared war against Austria and then handed over its authority to Boncompagni, the Sardinian royal commis sioner (May 9). A few weeks later a French force under Prince Napoleon landed in Tuscany to threaten Austria's flank, but in the meanwhile the emperor Napoleon made peace with Austria and agreed to the restoration of Leopold and other Italian princes. Victor Emmanuel was obliged to recall the royal commissioners, but together with Cavour he secretly encouraged the provisional governments, and the constituent assembly of Tuscany voted for annexation to Sardinia. The king accepted the annexation and appointed his kinsman, Prince Carignano, viceroy of Central Italy, with Ricasoli as governor-general (March 22, 1860). On Feb. 18, 1861, the kingdom of Italy, comprising Tuscany, was proclaimed.