Charles Felix of Sardinia
Origin
### Origin

Following revolts in [Cadiz](/wiki/Cadiz "Cadiz") in 1820, King [Ferdinand VII](/wiki/Ferdinand_VII "Ferdinand VII") of Spain was forced to restore the [Spanish Constitution of 1812](/wiki/Spanish_Constitution_of_1812 "Spanish Constitution of 1812") and the hope of obtaining similar concessions from their own sovereigns arose in many European states. Insurrections broke out in Naples and Palermo.

The initial indications of the crisis were confirmed on 11 January 1821 when four students were stopped by the police at a theatre performance in Turin because they were wearing red caps with black bows, a symbol of the carboneria. The young men offered resistance and were arrested, provoking a large brawl.

The next day, all the students and many of their teachers protested, calling for the release of the youths and, when this was refused, they blockaded themselves in the university and the government was forced to call in the army. Although nobody was killed, the wounded were very numerous and the situation escalated.

A connection was made between the protestors and the secret society of the "Federati", whose leaders [Santorre di Rossi](/wiki/Annibale_Santorre_di_Rossi_de_Pomarolo%2C_Count_of_Santarosa "Annibale Santorre di Rossi de Pomarolo, Count of Santarosa"), [Giacinto Collegno](/wiki/Giacinto_Collegno "Giacinto Collegno"), Carlo Emanuele Asinari, and Guglielmo Moffa di Lisio Gribaldi (all soldiers, officials, or sons of ministers) and [Roberto d'Azeglio](/wiki/Roberto_d%27Azeglio "Roberto d'Azeglio") met with Charles Albert on 6 March. They were ready to act, having identified the prince as a new man for the House of Savoy, who might be willing to break with the absolutist past.

The goal of the conspirators was not to abolish the House of Savoy, but to induce it to enact political and social reforms and then undertake a war against Austria, which seemed possible in light of the deeply anti\-Austrian sentiments of the Victor Emmanuel I.

In this, the conspirators took advantage of the absence of Charles Felix, who they thought would have been able to induce Victor Emmanuel to oppose their plans. They planned to raise the army, surround the royal residence at Moncalieri castle and force him to grant a constitution and declare war on Austria. The role of Charles Albert would have been to mediate between the conspirators and the king, but the following morning, he changed his mind and attempted to escape from the conspirators, although he did not disavow them.


What was the outcome of the confrontation between students and police in Turin?