The uprising in Rome made many people see an opportunity, and they eagerly kicked France while it was down. International public opinion tore the French Government apart with savage criticism—even the French media joined in.
There was no helping it. This was the aftermath of ideological confusion. Some supported religious reform, while others opposed it; even more simply opposed it for the sake of opposing it.
Perhaps Napoleon III had grown used to it. Domestic public opinion had little effect on him, and he continued suppressing the rebellion step by step.
The British were deeply disappointed. An uprising in Italy could not shake France's foundations. So long as Paris remained stable, the Greater French Empire would be very difficult to bring down.
Just as expected, the grand and imposing Roman uprising lasted less than a week before being suppressed by the French. More precisely, it held out for only a single morning before the rebels were routed.
A rabble was still a rabble. Though the hastily launched uprising looked impressive, its internal organization was a complete mess.
From beginning to end, the revolutionaries had failed to seize control of the situation. Although people from the Church had joined the uprising, they feared French strength and had no confidence in the revolution.
Making some noise was merely the squeaky wheel getting the grease. They wanted to show the French their strength and secure more favorable terms for themselves; they had never intended to fight the French to the bitter end.
When the French army sent to quell the rebellion arrived in force, these people swiftly changed sides once they saw the tide turning and sold out the revolutionaries.
Before Britain could make a move, the Italian independence movement had already fallen into a slump. Apart from scattered guerrilla bands that continued