The peace of the Treaty of Zürich had left the question of the United Provinces unsettled.[1] This led to a period of negotiations and eventually to the Treaty of Turin in 1860. During this time, Napoleon III faced pressure from Austria through their ambassador Richard von Metternich to halt Sardinian expansion[2] and restore Ferdinand IV (who had been deposed) as Grand Duke of Tuscany. Ferdinand was a cousin of Austrian emperor Franz Joseph I.[2] The Austrians viewed Savoia-Carignano, a member of the same dynasty as Victor Emmanuel II, as presenting an unacceptable risk of promoting annexation by Sardinia.[3][3] At the urging of Napoleon III, Victor Emmanuel II refused to allow Savoia-Cariagnano to accept a position of leadership in Tuscany,[3] instead sending Carlo Bon Compagni[4] as the Governor General of Central Italy, and making him responsible for the diplomatic and military affairs of the states.
On 8 December 1859, Parma, Modena and the Papal Legations were incorporated into the Royal Provinces of Emilia. After plebiscites were held during March 1860, and France was granted Nice and Savoy, the territory of the United Provinces of Central Italy was annexed formally to Piedmont-Sardinia, on 22 March 1860 following the resignation of Bon Compagni on 3 March.
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