The Armistice of Cherasco is signed by Napoleon Bonaparte and Vittorio Amedeo III, King of Sardinia, expanding French territory along the Mediterranean coast.

The Treaty of Paris, concluded on May 15, 1796, marked a significant turning point in the early years of the French Revolutionary Wars. This critical agreement was forged between the nascent French Republic and the Kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia, a pivotal moment during the tumultuous War of the First Coalition.

For four arduous years, the forces of the French Republic had been locked in a fierce struggle against the Kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia, an integral member of the coalition arrayed against revolutionary France. The conflict had its roots in the profound political shifts sweeping across Europe, particularly France's aggressive expansionism following its own revolution. A clear precursor to this war was the French annexation of the original Duchy of Savoy in 1792. This move, driven by revolutionary fervor and strategic ambition, saw Savoy transformed into the 84th French Département, provocatively named Mont-Blanc. This act of annexation directly challenged Piedmont-Sardinia's territorial integrity and sovereign claims, thereby igniting the hostilities.

By the spring of 1796, the tide of battle had decisively turned in favor of the French. Under the brilliant and audacious command of a then-young and relatively unproven General, Napoleon Bonaparte, the French army achieved a series of stunning victories in northern Italy. Bonaparte’s strategic genius and rapid maneuvers outflanked and overwhelmed the Piedmontese forces. Key among these decisive engagements were the Battle of Montenotte, fought on April 12, 1796, and the subsequent Battle of Mondovì on April 21, 1796. These crushing defeats shattered the morale and capability of the Piedmontese army, leaving King Victor Amadeus III of Sardinia with no viable option but to seek terms for peace.

Consequently, just one week after the defeat at Mondovì, on April 28, 1796, King Victor Amadeus III was compelled to sign the Armistice of Cherasco. This agreement represented a humiliating capitulation, as it formally obligated Piedmont-Sardinia to abandon the First Coalition, a formidable alliance of European monarchies united against the French Republic. The armistice paved the way for the full peace treaty, the Treaty of Paris, which followed swiftly.

The Core Provisions of the 1796 Treaty of Paris

The Treaty of Paris solidified the terms established at Cherasco and imposed significant concessions upon the Kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia. Its key provisions included:

The burden of these losses weighed heavily on King Victor Amadeus III, who, already advanced in years, passed away just a few months after affixing his signature to this devastating treaty. His successor inherited a kingdom dramatically diminished in territory and prestige.

A Shifting Map: Reversals and Future Claims

The territorial changes enacted by the Treaty of Paris were not, however, permanent. The subsequent decades of European history, dominated by the Napoleonic Wars, would see these regions change hands multiple times.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Treaty of Paris (1796)

What was the War of the First Coalition?
The War of the First Coalition (1792–1797) was the first major effort by European monarchies, including Austria, Prussia, Great Britain, Spain, and Piedmont-Sardinia, to contain and ultimately defeat revolutionary France, aiming to restore the Bourbon monarchy and prevent the spread of revolutionary ideals.
Why was the Treaty of Paris (1796) significant?
It was significant because it marked the first major territorial concession forced upon an established European power by the French Republic during the Italian Campaign. It secured vital strategic territory for France, provided a crucial pathway for Bonaparte's further campaigns into Italy, and demonstrated the military prowess and diplomatic assertiveness of revolutionary France under Napoleon.
Who was King Victor Amadeus III?
Victor Amadeus III was the King of Sardinia and Duke of Savoy from 1773 to 1796. He was a staunch conservative monarch who initially sought to resist the French Revolution, leading his kingdom into the War of the First Coalition. His reign ended tragically with the signing of the Treaty of Paris, which greatly diminished his kingdom's territory and influence, and he died shortly thereafter.
What territories did France gain from Piedmont-Sardinia in 1796?
France gained the entire Duchy of Savoy and the County of Nice, both historically significant and strategically valuable regions bordering France and providing access to the Alps and the Mediterranean coast.
Did France retain Savoy and Nice permanently after 1796?
No, the territories were restored to the Kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia in 1814 and 1815 after Napoleon's defeat. However, they were re-annexed by France under Napoleon III in 1860 as part of the agreements surrounding the unification of Italy, and have remained part of France ever since.