The early spring of 1815 witnessed a tense period in European history, as Napoleon Bonaparte's unexpected return from exile on Elba plunged the continent into a final, tumultuous chapter known as the Hundred Days. Amidst this grand reawakening of imperial ambition, a significant, though often overshadowed, conflict flared up in southern Italy: the Neapolitan War, sometimes referred to as the Austro-Neapolitan War. This brief but impactful clash pitted the Napoleonic Kingdom of Naples, led by its ambitious King Joachim Murat, against the formidable Austrian Empire.

Murat, Napoleon's brother-in-law and a celebrated cavalry commander, had been granted the throne of Naples in 1808. However, the shifting political landscape following Napoleon's initial defeat and the subsequent Congress of Vienna left his position precarious. Fearing that the Congress would ultimately depose him to restore the traditional Bourbon monarchy, Murat faced a critical choice. Napoleon's escape from Elba provided him with a perceived opportunity to solidify his rule and perhaps even champion Italian independence, thereby creating a buffer against Austrian influence.

The Neapolitan War: A Gamble for the Crown

The Neapolitan War officially commenced on March 15, 1815, when King Joachim Murat declared war on Austria. His declaration was not merely an act of defiance but a calculated gamble, fueled by a desire to retain his throne and potentially unite Italy under his banner. This bold move was further emboldened by a pro-Napoleon uprising that had begun to stir within Naples, reflecting a certain public sentiment for the Napoleonic cause and a desire for change from the old order.

For Austria, the conflict was an unwelcome but necessary intervention. As a key player in the Congress of Vienna, Vienna was committed to restoring the pre-Napoleonic order and maintaining a balance of power in Europe. Murat's independent stance, especially during the Hundred Days, was seen as a direct threat to this stability. Austria's primary objective became the swift suppression of Murat's forces and the restoration of Ferdinand IV of Bourbon, who had been King of Naples and Sicily before the Napoleonic era, back to his rightful place on the throne.

The war, spanning just over two months, saw several engagements, but it would ultimately be decided by one pivotal confrontation. It drew to a close on May 20, 1815, with the signing of the Treaty of Casalanza, a direct consequence of the decisive Austrian military victory that had preceded it.

The Decisive Battle of Tolentino

The fate of Joachim Murat's kingdom, and indeed his own, was sealed at the Battle of Tolentino. Fought from May 2 to May 3, 1815, near the town of Tolentino in what was then the Kingdom of Naples (and is now part of the Marche region of Italy), this engagement represented Murat's last desperate stand. He led his Neapolitan forces against a larger, well-organized Austrian army commanded by General Frederick Bianchi.

The battle was a fiercely contested affair, with Murat personally leading charges, demonstrating the same courage that had earned him renown under Napoleon. However, despite his tactical prowess and the bravery of his troops, the Austrians ultimately prevailed. The sheer numerical superiority and strategic advantages of the Austrian forces proved insurmountable. The defeat at Tolentino was absolute and catastrophic for Murat, effectively dismantling his army and ending his hopes of retaining the Neapolitan throne or leading an Italian unification movement.

Interestingly, the Battle of Tolentino shares a striking parallelism with the far more famous Battle of Waterloo. Both occurred during the whirlwind period of the Hundred Days, following Napoleon's dramatic return from exile. Both battles resulted in decisive victories for the forces arrayed against Napoleon's cause – in Tolentino, for Austria, and in Waterloo, for the Seventh Coalition. Crucially, both led directly to the restoration of previous monarchs: Ferdinand IV (who would later become Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies) in Naples and the Bourbons in France.

Aftermath and Enduring Legacy

Following the Austrian victory at Tolentino and the subsequent Treaty of Casalanza, Ferdinand IV was indeed reinstated as King of Naples and Sicily. This re-establishment of Bourbon rule solidified the post-Napoleonic order in southern Italy, aligning with the decisions made at the Congress of Vienna to restore legitimate monarchies. Murat, after a brief escape, made a final, ill-fated attempt to regain his kingdom in October 1815, which resulted in his capture and execution by firing squad.

While the Neapolitan War appeared to be a successful reassertion of Austrian power and monarchical legitimacy, its consequences reverberated deeper than initially perceived. The Austrian intervention, aimed at quashing Napoleonic influence and local ambitions, inadvertently sowed seeds of resentment among the Italian populace. Many Italians had seen Murat's call for an independent Italy as a glimmer of hope, and his defeat, orchestrated by a foreign power, fueled a growing sense of national identity and a desire for self-determination. This burgeoning anti-Austrian sentiment and the yearning for a unified Italian state would become a significant driving force behind the Risorgimento, the long and arduous process of Italian unification that unfolded over the following decades.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the Neapolitan War?

The Neapolitan War, also known as the Austro-Neapolitan War, was a brief but significant conflict in 1815 between the Napoleonic Kingdom of Naples, led by King Joachim Murat, and the Austrian Empire. It occurred during the Hundred Days, Napoleon's final return to power, and was essentially Murat's attempt to secure his throne and champion Italian independence against the backdrop of the Congress of Vienna.

Who was Joachim Murat?

Joachim Murat was a prominent French military commander and Marshal of France under Napoleon Bonaparte, who was also Napoleon's brother-in-law. He became King of Naples in 1808. Known for his flamboyant style and exceptional cavalry leadership, he was a key figure in the Napoleonic Wars but ultimately lost his kingdom and his life trying to retain power in the turbulent post-Napoleonic era.

Why did Murat declare war on Austria?

Murat declared war on Austria on March 15, 1815, primarily out of a fear that the Congress of Vienna would depose him to restore the Bourbon monarchy in Naples. Napoleon's return from exile during the Hundred Days provided Murat with a perceived opportunity to solidify his rule and present himself as a champion of Italian independence, hoping to rally support against the perceived threat from Austria.

What was the significance of the Battle of Tolentino?

The Battle of Tolentino, fought from May 2-3, 1815, was the decisive engagement of the Neapolitan War. It resulted in a conclusive Austrian victory over Murat's forces, effectively ending his reign in Naples and his ambitions for an independent Italy. It is often compared to the Battle of Waterloo for its timing during the Hundred Days and its role in restoring a previous monarch (Ferdinand IV) to power.

What was the outcome of the Neapolitan War?

The Neapolitan War ended with a decisive Austrian victory at the Battle of Tolentino, followed by the signing of the Treaty of Casalanza on May 20, 1815. This outcome led to the restoration of the Bourbon monarch Ferdinand IV (later Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies) as King of Naples and Sicily, and the effective end of Murat's rule.

How did the Neapolitan War impact Italian unification?

Although a defeat for Murat, the Neapolitan War had a profound, albeit indirect, impact on Italian unification (the Risorgimento). The Austrian intervention to restore Bourbon rule fostered significant resentment among Italians who had hoped for an independent state, especially after Murat's calls for Italian unity. This foreign interference strengthened nationalist sentiments and further fueled the drive towards a unified, independent Italy free from external domination.

What were the "Hundred Days"?

The "Hundred Days" refers to the period between March 20, 1815, when Napoleon Bonaparte arrived in Paris after escaping from exile on Elba, and July 8, 1815, when King Louis XVIII was restored to the French throne. It was Napoleon's final attempt to regain power, which culminated in his decisive defeat at the Battle of Waterloo.