1839 In Pisa the “First congress of the italian scientists” is held, assuming a political value based on the ideals of the Risorgimento that began to spread in Tuscany in those years. The pisan college environment was especially sensitive and welcomed the patriotic fervour.

1765-90 Government of Peter Leopold I of Lorraine. He is the first Lorraine to reside in Tuscany, and thus to personally take charge of the government. He is one of the “enlightened sovereigns” of the time, and forms in the Grand-duchy a state at the vanguard in administration and juridical structure. Pisa, designated winter residence by Peter Leopold, also benefited from his government. In 1790 he had to abandon the Grand-duchy to accede to the throne in Vienna

1859 leopoldo II, uncertain what do to, abandons Tuscany abdicating in favour of his son ferdinando. A provisional government is established offering the granducato to Vittorio Emanuele II savoy engaged in the second war of independence. although defeated, thanks to the diplomatic efforts of Cavour, the piedmontese king obtains the official concession of the tuscan territory.

1799-1800 Tuscany is for the first time occupied by french troops, regained by the austrians and reconquered by the french after just over a year

1807-09 With the treaty of Fontainebleau the Kingdom of Etrurien is over, and Tuscany is directly annexed to the French Empire.

1814-24 restoration of the lorenese government, Ferdinando III, back to leading the granducato, reveals his sensibleness adopting all that was good in the french ordainment that had brought a noticeable…..???

1848 lepoldo II grants a charter. A college brigade set off from pisa honourably takes part in the first war of independence in the battle of Curtatone and Montanara.

1737-65 Government of Francis II of Lorraine, husband of Maria Theresa Habsburg, from whom he obtains the title of austrian emperor in 1745 with the name of Francis I. He resides in Vienna and entrusts the government of the Grand-duchy to the Prince of Craon

1791-99 Ferdinand II, born in Pisa, succeeds to his father when the consequences of the French Revolution were already felt all over Europe

1801-07 The “Kingdom of Etrurien” is established, Louis I de Bourbon is enthroned by Napoleon as its king

1809-14 Napoleon reconstitutes the Grand-duchy of Tuscany entrusting it to his sister Elisa Bonaparte Baciocchi

1824-1859 Government of leopoldo I that continues the enlightened policy of his predecessors.

1841-48 The works for the a vapore railway connecting Pisa and Florence are completed. It is called “leopolda” in honour of the granduke. In the same years the line connetcing Pisa and Lucca is also built, so that pisa is at the centre of the first italian railway network.

1849 On the trail of the first war of independence the granduke must leave tuscany and a provisional government is established, lasting form the 7th of february to the 12th of april of that year, when after the defeat of novara, leopoldo II reenters tuscany landing in Viareggio e passing through Pisa.

1860 With the plebiscite of 12th march the granducato di toscana becomes a part of the reign of sardinia. In Pisa, out of 12,285 voters (82% of the entitled) there were 12,049 votes in favour (98%) and 156 against the annexion (1.2 %), with 80 invalid votes.