Convention of Mantua facts for kids

The Convention of Mantua was an important agreement signed on April 24, 1814. It was made between Eugène de Beauharnais and Heinrich Graf von Bellegarde. This agreement meant that the lands of the Kingdom of Italy, which Napoleon had created, would now be controlled by Austria.

What Was the Convention of Mantua?

This agreement was a big step in ending Napoleon's power in Italy. It officially handed over control of northern Italy to Austrian forces. The convention was signed in Mantua, a city in northern Italy.

Napoleon's Italian Kingdom

Napoleon was a powerful French leader. He made himself King of Italy on March 17, 1805. He was crowned with the famous Iron Crown of Lombardy in Milan on May 26, 1805.

Napoleon then appointed his stepson, Eugène de Beauharnais, as the Viceroy of Italy on June 5, 1805. A viceroy is like a ruler who governs a country or province as the representative of a king or emperor. Eugène was also named as the person who would likely inherit the Italian crown after Napoleon.

The End of Napoleon's Rule

By 1813 and 1814, Napoleon's power was weakening. He had been defeated by a group of countries called the Sixth Coalition. This group included Austria, Britain, Russia, and Prussia.

On April 6, 1814, Napoleon gave up his throne. He first tried to pass it to his son, Napoleon II, who was known as the King of Rome. However, on April 11, Napoleon signed the Treaty of Fontainebleau. With this treaty, he gave up his power completely and was sent away to the island of Elba.

Eugène's Difficult Position

After Napoleon's defeat, Eugène de Beauharnais found himself in a very tough spot. He was surrounded by enemy armies. The main Austrian army was coming from the east. British, Sicilian, and more Austrian forces were attacking from Genoa. Also, troops from the Kingdom of Naples, led by King Joachim Murat, were advancing from the south.

On April 16, an agreement called the Agreement of Schiarino-Rizzino [it] was made near Mantua. This agreement allowed Eugène to keep control of his territory for a short time.

The Milan Uprising

Eugène hoped he could become the new King of Italy. However, the Senate of the Kingdom, which was like a parliament, was against him. On April 20, a rebellion broke out in Milan. This uprising ended Eugène's hopes of becoming king.

The Agreement is Signed

Because of these events, Eugène signed the Convention of Mantua on April 24. This agreement allowed the Austrian commander, Bellegarde, to cross the River Minco. It also meant that Austrian forces could occupy Milan.

Northern Italy officially returned to Austrian rule on April 27, 1814. Eugène then left Italy and went to Munich. This city was the capital of his father-in-law, Maximilian I Joseph of Bavaria.

What Happened Next?

Austrian control over the regions of Lombardy and Venetia was later confirmed. This happened at a big meeting called the Congress of Vienna. On April 7, 1815, these two regions were joined together to form the Kingdom of Lombardy–Venetia. The Papal States, which were lands ruled by the Pope, were also given back to him.