The Anglo-Austrian contest in South Africa had only just begun when tremendous changes swept across the European Continent. This time, Napoleon III displayed his decisiveness, directly sending troops to seize control of the governments of the Italian states.
Clearly, his patience had reached its limit. He had no intention of continuing to waste time with these people.
After suppressing the feeble resistance of the various states, their governments were forced at bayonet point to agree to join with the Kingdom of Sardinia in establishing the Italian Empire.
On August 24, 1870, the Italian Empire convened its first parliament, which elected Napoleon III as emperor.
The next day, Napoleon III could not wait to be crowned Emperor of Italy in Rome—namely, Napoleon I, Emperor of Italy.
Immediately afterward, Napoleon III announced the union of France and Italy and the establishment of the Greater French Empire, crowning himself emperor once more. To placate the Italians, it would have dual capitals this time: Paris and Rome.
After Napoleon, the Bonaparte Family had once again founded an empire. No, it ought to be two empires: the Bonaparte Dynasty of the Italian Empire and the Bonaparte Dynasty of the Greater French Empire.
Napoleon III could no longer spare a thought for appearances or etiquette. Opportunities for the United Kingdom and Austria to clash were few and far between; if he missed this one, it would be difficult to encounter another in the future.
With the establishment of the Greater French Empire, the situation in Europe changed in an instant. Having swallowed Italy, France seemed poised to soar into the heavens and dominate the European Continent.
Because of the Prusso-Russian War, the only powers capable of intervening in the French annexation of Italy at this time were the United Kingdom and Austria.
As all eyes turned