The Unification of Italy

Background

• From 1100s to 1800s central Europe was made up of numerous kingdoms, principalities, and free cities

• A small group of dedicated Italians and Germans worked to unify these territories into nations

• They were inspired by the success of the American Revolution and the experience of the Napoleonic Wars

Role of Napoleon in Development of Italian Nationalism

• Italian Peninsula had not been unified since fall of Roman Empire

• Most spoke same language, but peninsula divided into competing states, each with own government

• Napoleon invaded Italy– United many states under one government

– Unification did not last

– After Napoleon’s defeat, Congress of Vienna split Italian states

• Spirit of nationalism began to rise through Europe

•

• Napoleon conquered the Italian peninsula and created the puppet Kingdom of Italy in 1797.

• Napoleon combined the smaller Italian city-states into larger units to make his rule more efficient.

• Opposition to him as a foreign ruler stimulated Italian nationalism.

Background

• Inspired by NATIONALISM– The desire for national

independence– One of the most powerful forces

in Europe during the 1800s• In 1815 the modern nation of

Italy did not exist• The Italian Peninsula was

divided into a number of independent states with foreign rulers

•After Congress of Vienna• Austrian Prince Metternich wanted Congress of

Vienna to maintain old Europe, old relationships

• 15 years after Congress, old order destroyed beyond repair

• 1800s, nationalism a growing force in Europe, fostered by decisions made at Congress of Vienna

Impact of Congress of Vienna’s Decisions

• National Groups Ignored• Congress had ignored national groups, placing them

under control of large empires; some empires included different ethnic groups

• Italians split into three groups—much of northern Italy under Austrian rule, other states under Hapsburgs, still others under a French ruler

• Italian nationalism grew in opposition to these conditions

• The Congress of Vienna (1815) restored the Italian city-states with their pre-Napoleon reactionary governments. Austria gained control of Lombardy and Venezia and dominated many of the smaller states.

• The Bourbon dynasty was returned to rule in Naples.

• The Congress of Vienna established a system, the Concert of Europe, to stop the growth of revolutionary nationalism set in motion by the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars.

•

Background• Congress of Vienna

– Restoration of the pre-Napoleonic patchwork of independent governments

• Groups in several Italian states began to push the idea of a unified Italian state again– The struggle for Italian unification was perceived to be

waged primarily against the Austrian Empire and the Habsburgs

• they directly controlled the predominantly Italian-speaking northeastern part of present day Italy and were the single most powerful force against unification

• the Austrian Empire fought hard against nationalist sentiment growing on the Italian peninsula

• Metternich stated that the word Italy was "purely a geographic expression."

Background

• Pope opposed to Italian unification– Wanted some measure of autonomy over the

Papal States• Different groups could not agree on what form

a unified state would take– Vincenzo Gioberti suggested a confederation of

Italian states under the Pope.– Many leading revolutionaries wanted a republic– Eventually it was a king and his minister who had

the power to unite the Italian states as a monarchy

Italian Unification

The Italian tricolor was first established during the Napoleonic Wars by French republics in northern Italy , who styled it after the French tricolor. In 1848 the design was adopted which went on to lead the Italian unification. The present flag was adopted in 1946, when Italy became a republic. Hope--- Faith---- Charity

Divisions in Italy• Political Divisions

– French Bourbon monarch ruled the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies

– Austria controlled Lombardy and Venetia – Pope controlled the Papal States

• Cultural and Economic Divisions– Spoke different dialects of the Italian Language– Trade barriers and poor transportation

discouraged the flow of goods and people• The name given to the movement for Italian

unity was Risorgimento– Meant ‘resurgence’ or ‘revival’

Nationalistic Secret Societies Formed In Italy

• Italian artists, writers, thinkers became interested in celebrating Italy’s cultural traditions

• Others formed secret societies to work for political change, plotted to overthrow Austrian government in Italy

• Focused on RISORGIMENTO

• The "Risorgimento" (national unification) movement grew in strength after 1815 in reaction to the Vienna settlement. 

• There was a great deal of dissatisfaction with the re-establishment of many of the old monarchies.

• The new growing sense of Italian nationalism considered the Habsburgs and Bourbons as foreigners.

The Carbonari• The "Carbonari" (carbon

burners), a nationalist society operating in secret, encouraged the growth of nationalism.

• The Carbonari were liberals promoting the establishment of constitutional monarchies in the Italian states and were angry at the Vienna settlement.

• They began to lead nationalist revolts beginning in 1820.

• The Austrian army crushed these revolts as the Austrian Foreign Minister Klemens von Metternich declared, "Italy is merely a geographical expression."

Early Moves

• Carbonari (coal-burners)– a secret organization formed in southern Italy early in the 19th

century– Inspired by the principles of the French revolution, its members

were mainly drawn from the middle class and intellectuals– Carbonari spread into the Papal States, the kingdom of Sardinia,

the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, the Duchy of Modena and the kingdom of Lombardy-Venetia

– Many rulers decreed the death penalty for anyone who attended a Carbonari meeting

– Most leaders of the unification movement were members of this organization

Mazzini and Young Italy

• 1831, popular writer, Giuseppe Mazzini, launched nationalist group called Young Italy to fight for unification of Italian states

• Mazzini had been exiled but smuggled patriotic pamphlets into Italy

• Young Italy attracted tens of thousands of Italians to cause of unification

Giuseppe Mazzini

Italian Unification

•Giuseppe Mazzini,  an Italian patriot spearheaded a national revolutionary movement. • Mazzini's ideology of an independent integrated republic spread quickly among large segments of the Italian people. • Revolutionary cells formed throughout the Italian peninsula.   • A patriotic writer who attacks the Papal States.•Creates a republic, then has to flee country because French come to the rescue of Pope Pius IX

"The republic, as I at least understand it, means association, of which liberty

is only an element, a necessary antecedent. It means association, a new philosophy of life, a divine Ideal that shall move the world, the only

means of regeneration vouchsafed to the human race." Giuseppe Mazzini

Giuseppe Mazzini• A member of the Carbonari• Activity in revolutionary movements got him in trouble• Organized La giovine Italia (Young Italy)

– A political society– its basic principle was the union of the several states and kingdoms of the

peninsula into a single republic• Believed that Italian unification could only be achieved through a

popular uprising• His importance was more ideological than practical• Credited with fashioning the political idea that Italy was a country

more than a patchwork of antiquated Roman city-states• It would be others who would make this idea a reality though• Never accepted a monarchical united Italy and continued to work

for a democratic republic

Giuseppe Mazzini

• Bold and active leader in fight for Italian independence

• Most effective speaker• Founded a secret society called

Young Italy in 1831– Goal : to transform Italy into an

independent sovereign nation.

Giuseppe Mazzini

• Believed the nation-state was very important– Nation-state : a political organization

consisting of one nationality rather than several nationalities

• Through the nation state people could be unified in one country with common ideals

• This country could best contribute their efforts to the well-being of all its citizens

Giuseppe Mazzini – “The Heart”

• Grassroots unification• Italian Risorgimento

What were Mazzini’s aims?

Encouraged people to see themselves as part of a

nation

Wanted democratic

independent Italian Republic

Had concept of ‘Third Rome’ – a civilising influence on the world

Nationalism• "A country is not merely a geographic territory.... A

country is the sense of love which unites as one all the sons and daughters of that geographic territory. So long as a single person amongst you has no vote to represent him in the development of the national life; so long as there is one person left to vegetate in ignorance while others are educated; so long as a single person that is able and willing to work languishes in poverty through lack of a job, you have no country in the sense in which a country ought to exist. The right to vote, education, and employment are the three main pillars of a nation. The life of your country will be immortal so long as you are ready to die for your fellow men and women. “

• From Giuseppe Mazzini: A Memoir by E. A. Venturi.

What were Mazzini’s methods?‘Education and revolution’

Sought support from young educated middle class

Italian people to drive the Austrians out

Hoped that publicity and propaganda would create revolutionary class

Constitutional monarchies seen as stop-gap only

How big an impact did Mazzini have on the Unification of Italy?

• Gave encouragement to Italian patriotism• Presented new view of Italy• Inspired Garibaldi to join movement• Helped to win international publicity for

Italian freedom. Defence of Rome in 1849 was heroic failure

• By his actions put pressure on Cavour and others to act more positively

How successful was Mazzini?

• Had little practical experience• Overestimated level of support – ignored problems

of the peasants• Support was limited – used Carbonari methods• All his plots failed!• Some middle class alienated by his revolutionary

stance• Made no attempt to win support from peasants and

town workers

1830

• Rrevolutionary sentiment in favor of a unified Italy began to grow

• Insurrections took place throughout the Papal States– Chose the tri-color as their flag

• Insurrected provinces planned to unite as the Province Italiane unite– Pope Gregory XVI asked for Austrian help against the

rebels• Spring of 1831

– Austrian army began its march across the Italian peninsula– crushed resistance in each province that had revolted

• The election of the supposedly liberal Pope Pius IX in 1846 raised hopes for Papal support for unification.

• The "Neo-Guelfs", led by individuals such as Vincenzo Gioberti, favored the unification of Italy under the Pope, and Pius IX appeared to be the leader that many of the liberal monarchists hoped for.

1848

• Revolutions all over Italy• Results

• Only successful revolt was in Sardinia

• Rulers forced to grant new constitution; Sardinia remained independent

• One of most important leaders of Italian unification emerged, Camillo di Cavour

• Founded nationalist newspaper, Il Risorgimento—“resurgence” or “rebirth”

1848 Revolutions inItaly

•1848, nationalist-inspired revolutions spread throughout Europe

• In some Italian states, citizens rebelled against Austrian rule

– Piedmont declared war against Austria, fought for year, was defeated

– Others seized Rome, 1849; French troops helped pope regain control

Early Attempts

• January 1848 – Mazzini inspired nationalists led a republican revolution in Sicily

• Some weeks later larger revolutions were staged in France and Austria

• This sparked uprisings throughout the Italian Peninsula

• Fighting began against Austrian forces• King Charles Albert of the Kingdom of Sardinia

joined the war to expel the foreigners

The Orsini Bomb Plot! • In January 1848 Felice

Orsini attempted to assassinate Napoleon III

• Hoped that this would aid Italian unity

• Did spur Napoleon III into action

• Agreement made via Compact of Plombieres

Early Attempts

• April 1848 – Italian forces had almost succeeded in driving the Austrians from the peninsula

• Pope Pius IX said he opposed the war and suddenly withdrew his troops

• Naples followed the Pope and withdrew their forces as well

• This withdrawal enabled Austria to defeat the army of Charles Albert

• Austria reestablished its control over Lombardy and Venetia

Napoleon III and Italian Unity• Former member of

the Carbonari• His troops had

crushed Roman Republic in 1849

• Had his own reasons for aiding Piedmont

• Probably favoured federation headed by Pope

•

• The Revolution of 1848-49 brought a brief hope for the unification movement.

• Piedmont-Sardinia emerged as the leader as its native Italian (Savoy) monarchy granted a more liberal constitution.

• Brief successes by liberals attempting to establish republican governments were followed by defeats.

• Republics with liberal constitutions were established in Rome by Mazzini and Giuseppe Garibaldi and also in Venice by Daniele Manin. Liberal leader of Sicily and Tuscany.

• Constitutions were also granted in the principalities

Early Attempts

• The Pope’s withdrawal infuriated Italian nationalists

• November 1848 – Angry mobs forced the pope to flee the city

• Nationalists proclaimed Rome a republic• They summoned Mazzini to the capital as the

head of the government

• Pope Pius IX condemned the liberal-national unification movement after being ousted from Rome and the rule of the Papal States.

• Austria and France, the two major Catholic powers, also opposed the revolts.

• Austrian troops invaded Lombardy and Venezia restoring Austrian rule.

• The Roman Republic was defeated and the Pope was restored to full power when French troops were sent in by Louis Napoleon Bonaparte, the newly-elected President of the French Republic.

• The need for Great Power support and outside military aid for the nationalist movement was apparent.

Early Attempts

• The expulsion of the Pope aroused the Catholic governments of Naples, Spain, and France

• Louis-Napoleon sent a French army to Rome• His troops occupied the city and restored the

pope to power• The events of 1848 caused many to lose faith

in Mazzini’s revolutionary methods

Early Attempts• The Italian people became

more conservative and turned to Charles Albert

• Charles Albert earned their respect with is brave stand against the Austrians

• Nationalists now looked to Sardinia to lead the struggle for Italian unification

King Victor Emmanuel II, House of Savoy

• Only native Italian monarch in Italy

Victor Emmanuel II

Victor Emmanuel II

• Became king of Sardinia-Piedmont in 1849– father abdicated after an overwhelming military defeat by

the Austrians– Victor Emmanuel was immediately able to obtain a rather

favorable armistice at Vignale by the Austrian commander– In 1849 he also fiercely suppressed the revolt in Genoa,

defining the rebels as a "vile and infected race of cowards• In 1852 Victor Emmanuel II gave Count Camillo di

Cavour the title of Prime Minister• Victor Emmanuel II soon became the symbol of the

Italian Risorgimento

Count Camillo di Cavour

• Kingdom of Sardinia

• 1852, Cavour became prime minister of independent Kingdom of Sardinia

• Believed thriving economy important for Italy to be reborn

• Economy

• Cavour worked to build Sardinian economy

• Believed Italy should be reborn as monarchy

• Ally

• Cavour in position to cultivate powerful ally

• Supported France in war with Russia; gave France provinces of Savoy, Nice

• France agreed to support Sardinia in war against Austria

• 1860, northern Italian states liberated from control of Austrian Empire

Camillo di Cavour – “The Brain”

• Prime Minister of Sardinia

• A liberal – wanted to make Sardinia a model of progress, efficiency, and fair government for others to admire

• Tried to improve the economy

Camillo di Cavour – “The Brain”

• Didn’t idealize war, but willing to use war to unify Italy – Crimean War (1855-1856) – Reorganized and

strengthened Sardinian army

• Main architect of Italian unification

...We shall not have long to wait for our opportunity...I have faith that Italy will become one state and will have Rome for its capital...But remember, among my political friends no one believes the enterprise possible…

-Cavour, in a letter to La Farina, Secretary of the Italian National Society, September 1857

Count Camillo di Cavour• In 1847, became a political journalist with his newspaper Il Risorgimento

in Turin• Gave a speech in front of many journalists in favor of a constitution for

Piedmont, which was eventually granted• Never really favoured the establishment of a united country

– favored an expanded Piedmont rather than a unified Italy– like most Italians he resented the control that Austria had over the

country• when an uprising in Milan against the Austrians occurred in

1849, Cavour was one of many who advocated the war that followed as the chance to expell the Austrians once and for all

• the war was unsuccessful for the Piedmontese• Cavour was finally brought in to the Chamber of Deputies, sitting

on the right as a conservative• gained a reputation as a non-revolutionary progressive

• Cavour lost an election but was then brought back into Parliament• Cavour soon came to dominate the cabinet• Became Prime Minister of Piedmont on 4 November 1852

. . . Nationalism has become general; it grows daily; and it has already grown strong enough to keep all parts of Italy united despite the differences that distinguish them.

Cavour, 1846

Count Cavour’s Diplomacy• 1849 – Victor Emmanuel II, Charles

Albert’s son, became king of Sardinia• Victor Emmanuel II toiled to keep

popular support for the unity movement alive

• He had an adviser named Count Camillo di Cavour who helped him greatly in his efforts to unify

• Cavour was said to be ‘squat…pot-bellied form; small stumpy legs, round arms”

CavourCount Camillo di Cavour became prime minister of the Kingdom of Sardinia  in 1852 . It was his leadership and accommodating  policies that led to the unification of Italy in little more than a decade.Cavour was able to persuade Napoleon to a secretly planned war against Austria.  By early 1859, Cavour had caused a crisis that provoked  the Austrians to send an ultimatum demanding Piedmontese disarmament. As part of the "plan", Cavour rejected the ultimatum which led to the subsequent war with the Austrians.  The French came to the aid of the Piedmontese and the Austrians were defeated. The Austrians were forced to surrender Lombardy, to Napoleon III.  Finally, in 1859, Napoleon transferred Lombardy to the sovereignty of Victor Emmanuel II. Conquers the Northern area

Count Cavour’s Diplomacy

• Defeat of Sardinia in 1848 convinced Cavour that the kingdom needed the aid of a foreign power to expel Austria

• Cavour decided to support France and Britain in the Crimean War

• He wanted to get their help in return• By sending an army to Crimea Cavour established a

claim to equality with other warring nations• Sardinia also won admittance to the Congress of Paris• This settled many treaty matters after the war

Cavour – Foreign Policy

• Aware of shortcomings of ‘Italia fara da se’• Aimed to move Austrians out of Lombardy &

Venetia• As PM had considerable control over foreign

policy• 1854 – outbreak of Crimean War: Britain &

France vs Russia• 15,000 troops sent to support France & GB

Count Cavour’s Diplomacy

• Cavour was a bold, intelligent man of great personal charm

• By 1854 Cavour dominated Sardinia’s council of ministers

• Major goals– Promotion of rapid industrial growth– Reduction of the Catholic Church’s influence– Advancement of Sardinia’s national interests in

foreign affairs

Cavour and the Crimean War

• Some doubt over motivation but perhaps aimed to gain support from GB & France

• Troops played only minor role but did win respect & gratitude from allies

• Congress of Paris (1856) dealt with peace negotiations

• Cavour not directly involved in talks

The Crimean War• The Crimean War, 1853-1856,

sent an alliance of European nations against Russia. Piedmont-Sardinia declared war on Russia and joined Britain and France in their alliance.

• The Kingdom of Sardinia contributed little to the war effort, but its support gained the favor of the British and especially the French for the nationalist cause.

• Cavour gained the opportunity to bring up the subject of Italian unification at the Paris Peace Conference of 1856 hosted by Napoleon III.

• Cavour encouraged the investment of foreign capital from countries such as Britain and France to develop industry in Piedmont.

• Britain and France now had a financial interest in Italian unification and the elimination of all Austrian influence from the Italian peninsula.

• Public opinion mounted in Britain and France in favor of the unification of Italy.

• Britain stood to gain increased trade from an independent Italy.

• France wanted to weaken Austria, especially after 1858, hoping to gain new territory in northwestern Italy.

• The secret Treaty of Plombières was signed in 1858 between Piedmont-Sardinia and France.

• Napoleon III agreed to join Piedmont-Sardinia in a war against Austria.

• In return for its support, France would receive a major portion of the province of Savoy including the city of Nice.

Cavour wins support

• Foreign support & diplomacy seen as main successes

• Also important was link with National Society• Number of its leaders beginning to accept

Piedmont as focus for unification• Cavour now looked to France for help against

Austria

• The combined armies of France and Piedmont-Sardinia defeated Austria at the battles of Magenta and Solferino in June 1859.

• This second War of Italian Independence drove Austria out of Lombardy which was then annexed by Piedmont-Sardinia.

• The pro-Austrian rulers of Parma, Tuscany, Modena, and Romagna were deposed later in 1859.

• Fearing a Prussian entry into the war to aid Austria and after a negative reaction from the French people because of the high losses to the French army, Napoleon III signed a separate peace with Austria and withdrew from the war before Venezia could be liberated.

• France received the territory of Savoy in return for its support. A plebiscite was held in Nice in 1860 resulting in its union with France.

War with Austria

• 1859 War provoked with Austria• French (with limited help from Piedmont)

won 2 closely fought victories• Austria on brink of surrender• Napoleon III now pulled put of the war – Truce

of Villafranca!• Cavour was furious – resigned as PM

War of 1859• Sardinia-Piedmont still sought expansion across Italy

– Cavour saw that Piedmont would not be able to do it alone– hoped to secure aid from Britain and France in expelling the Austrians

• Attempted to gain western favor by supporting them in the Crimean War– not successful– Italian matters were ignored at the Congress of Paris

• On January 14, 1858, an Italian nationalist Felice Orsini attempted to assassinate Napoleon III– In a plea written from his prison cell, Orsini appealed to Napoleon III to fulfill

his destiny by aiding the forces of Italian nationalism– Napoleon III became convinced that it was his destiny to do something for

Italy• Summer of 1858

– Cavour met with Napoleon III and signed a secret agreement– agreed to a joint war against Austria– Piedmont would gain the Austrian territories in Italy (Lombardy and Venetia),

as well as the Duchies of Parma and Modena– France would be rewarded with Piedmont's transalpine territories of Savoy

and Nice– Cavour was to provoke the Austrians into aggression by encouraging

revolutionary activity in Lombardy

War with Austria

• 1858 – Cavour met secretly with Napoleon III at Plombieres- les-Bains in France

• Napoleon III promised to aid Sardinia in expelling Austria if Sardinia was at war

• Sardinia agreed to give the provinces of Savoy and Nice to France if the were victorious over Austria

War with Austria• Cavour forced Austria to declare

war against Sardinia– He did this by encouraging

nationalist groups in Lombardy to revolt

– Sardinia’s army supported the rebels and refuse to withdraw when Austria asked

• Napoleon III led in a force or 120,000 French soldiers to aid Sardinia

• The combined French and Sardinian forces defeated Austria at Magenta and Solferino

War with Austria

• The French suffered heavy losses• Napoleon III feared loss of support at home if

fighting continued• Napoleon III withdrew from the fighting and

signed a treaty with Emperor Francis Joseph of Austria, without consulting Cavour

• The treaty gave Lombardy to Sardinia and Austria still retained control of Venetia

War with Austria

• Cavour was furious upon reading the treaty

• He insisted that Victor Emmanuel II continue to fight

• Emmanuel refused, believing that victory was impossible without the French

• Fighting did not stop, however

War of 1859

• The war itself was quite short• Battle of Magenta

– French and Sardinians were victorious over the Austrian army

– Austrians withdrew from most of Lombardy • Battle of Solferino

– bloody engagement– French were again victorious– Austrians withdrew behind the Quadrilateral of

fortresses on the borders of Venetia

Results of War of 1859

• Napoleon III meets with Franz Josef– Sardinia-Piedmont takes Lombardy, no other

changes• Smaller northern Italian states form the

United Provinces of Central Italy– Napoleon III agrees to their incorporation into

Sardinia-Piedmont after compensation of Savoy and Nice being transferred to France

War with Austria

• People in Tuscany, Parma, Modena, and the papal province of Romagna overthrew their rulers

• Their new governments demanded their right to unite with Sardinia

• Cavour needed to gain Napoleon III’s consent for the unification– He gave Savoy and Nice to France to be granted

permission to unify new governments with Sardinia• In April 1860 Victor Emmanuel II accepted the

territories into his kingdom

•

• By the Treaty of Turin signed in 1860, the northern Italian states of Parma, Modena and the Romagna agreed to their annexation by Piedmont-Sardinia.

• Victor Emmanuel II, King of Sardinia, ruled with Camillo di Cavour as his Prime Minister in 1860.

1860

• Only four states remain in Italy– Sardinia-Piedmont– Venetia– Papal States– Kingdom of the Two Sicilies

Ferdinand II• Southern Italy remained

isolate from the revolutionary fever that was sweeping the rest of the peninsula

• Ferdinand II – Ruler of the Kingdom of Two Sicilies

• After Ferdinand’s death, Italian nationalists prepared for a revolution

Giuseppe Garibaldi

Guiseppe Garibaldi• Sword of Italy

• Many Italians consider Cavour “brain” of Italian unification, Mazzini “heart”• Giuseppe Garibaldi has been called “sword” of Italy• Garibaldi joined Young Italy movement, 1833

• Exile • Nationalist activities forced Garibaldi to flee Italy twice• Learned techniques of guerilla warfare while living in South America• Returned to Italy often to continue fight to free Italy from Austrian

domination

• Return • 1854, Garibaldi returned for good• Cavour asked to lead part of Sardinian army in war against Austria• After bitter fighting, Austrians agreed to give up Lombardy, retaining Venetia

Guiseppe Garibaldi – “The Sword”

• “Hero of Two Worlds”• Red Shirts

Giuseppe Garibaldi• Great romantic figure

of the Risorgimento• Charismatic guerrilla

leader• Had distinguished

himself in the defence of Rome

• Was a follower of Mazzini

Giuseppe Garibaldi• In 1833, met Giuseppe Mazzini• Joined the Young Italy movement and the Carbonari revolutionary association• In February 1834 he participated in a failed Mazzinian insurrection in Piedmont,

was sentenced to death, and fled• Garibaldi left for Brazil and took up the cause of independence of the Republic of

Rio Grande do Sul• Joined the rebels against the newly independent Brazilian nation• Returned to Italy in 848

– served the king of Sardinia– after disagreements, he & followers crossed into Lombardy where they

offered assistance to the provisional government of Milan• Roman Republic under threat from French forces

– Garibaldi took up the command of the defense of Rome– city fell on June 30, 1849– Garibaldi was forced to flee

• Moved to the USA then to the UK

Garibaldi• The leader of the Southern

Italian Nationalists• Charismatic military

commander• Forced into exile after taking

part in the 1830 uprisings• He fled to South America• He became an expert in

guerrilla warfare• Garibaldi returned to Italy in

1848 and took part in Mazzini’s short-lived Roman Republic

GaribaldiBy this time, Garibaldi had separated politically from Mazzini, and had formed an alliance with Victor Emmanuel II, the king of Sardinia,  and his premier Cavour.  Given Garibaldi's popularity and large following, thousands of Italians gave their allegiance to  the Sardinian monarch. The Red Shirts-- Attacks from the SouthGaribaldi's dream of a united Italy motivated his successful expedition against the Austrian forces in the Alps in 1859.  In 1860 he conquered Sicily and set up a provisional government.  Garibaldi then conquered Naples, which he then delivered to Victor Emmanuel in 1861. A united Italy was finally established in 1861 with Victor Emmanuel as its king. The Italian kingdom was missing Rome, which was still a papal possession, and Venice, which was controlled by the Austrians.Venice was added to Italy in 1866 after Prussia defeated Austria in the Seven Weeks' War, in which Italy sided with Prussia; Venice was its reward. Then, in 1870 during the Franco-Prussian War, Napoleon III withdrew his troops from Rome. With the city of Rome and the remaining Papal States left unprotected, Italian troops moved into Rome without opposition. Rome voted for union with Italy in October 1870 and, in July 1871, Rome became the capital of a united Italy.                                           

Garibaldi

• After the fall of Mazzini’s Republic, Garibaldi fled to the United States

• Garibaldi returned to Italy in 1860• He sensed that the people of the Kingdom of

Two Sicilies were ready to revolt• He collected volunteers in Genoa and set out

for Sicily• He named his forces The Red Shirts, the color of

their uniforms

Garibaldi’s Red Shirts and their Success in Southern Italy

• Followers known as Red Shirts because of colorful uniforms

• By July 1860, using guerilla warfare, Garibaldi, Red Shirts gained control of island of Sicily

• September, Garibaldi, Sardinian troops conquered Naples

• Red Shirts now controlled southern part Italian peninsula

• Garibaldi offered Kingdom of Two Sicilies to Sardinian king Victor Emmanuel

Garibaldi

• In a few weeks he gained control of the island

• After seizing the island, Garibaldi crossed the mainland and advanced toward Naples

• The army of the Kingdom of Two Sicilies proved no math for Garibaldi’s Red Shirts

• Naples fell, and the king of the Two Sicilies fled

Initial Unification

• Combined army of Garibaldi and Victor Emmanuel finally defeats the army of the Two Sicilies– King of Two Sicilies abdicates

• Two Sicilies united with Sardinia-Piedmont in an Italian state– Only Papal States and Venetia remain outside the

union

Final Steps Towards Unification

• 1861, territories held elections, all agreed to unification

• Holdouts were Venetia, still belonging to Austria; Papal States, under French troops supporting pope

• 1866, Prussia defeated Austria, gave Venetia to Italy

• 1870, Prussia forced French to withdraw from Rome

• Italian troops entered Rome, completed unification under King Victor Emmanuel

Moves on Rome

• French troops staioned in Rome to support the pope

• Garibaldi demands that Italian state attack Rome– Italy refuses

• Garibaldi, with 2,000 volunteers moves on Rome but is barred by Italian troops

• Victor Emmanuel II reaches agreement with Napoleon III for French to leave by 1866

Rome

• French troops move back into Rome• Various threats to Rome by Italian groups from

1866 – 1870• With the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War

of 1870, France returns troops to France to fight in the war

• Italy takes Rome after French defeat at Sedan• Pope withdraws inside Vatican• Rome becomes capital of Italy

The Fall of Garibaldi

• Garibaldi’s successes in the south made Cavour nervous

• Cavour sent an army into the papal states• Cavour’s army defeated the papal army at

Castelfidardo

Garibaldi & the Campaign of 1861

• Hi-jacked the popular revolt in Sicily• Used great cunning to gain control of the island• His ‘1000 Red Shirts’ gained more and more

support• Had more problems on the mainland but was

successful in defeating King of Naples• Handed his conquests over to Victor Emmanuel

II

A contemporary British cartoon,

entitled "Right Leg in the Boot at Last," shows

Garibaldi helping Victor Emmanuel put on the Italian

boot.

The Fall of Garibaldi• Voters in Southern Italy began to

support union with Sardinia in October 1860

• Garibaldi saw this support and surrendered his conquests to Victor Emmanuel II

• By February 1861 the whole peninsula, excluding Rome and Venetia, was united under one government

• Victor Emmanuel II was now king of the newly created constitutional monarchy of Italy.

Problems in the New Nation

• Three months after the unification of Italy, Cavour died

• The north and south were still separated culturally and economically

• There was a huge gap in the standards of living between the two regions

• This gap fueled discontent and hampered unification efforts

Challenges Facing Unified Italy• Strong regional differences led to lack of unity

• Southern Italians resented being governed by Rome

• Catholic Church did not recognize Italy as legitimate nation

• Poverty serious problem, caused many to emigrate

• 1880s, large numbers left Italy, many for Americas

• Unemployment, rising taxes led to rioting, violence

• Voting reform a major priority

• 1870, only wealthiest Italian men could vote

• By late 1800s most adult male taxpayers could vote

Problems in the New Nation

• Sardinia often tried to force its laws and customs onto the other Italian states

• This only encouraged resentment and discontent

• The government finally developed a unified military and a national education system

• Railroads were built, linking Italy with the rest of Europe

Final Steps to Unification

• Most Italian’s believed that Rome should be the capital of the new nation

• Rome was not a part of the nation of Italy though

• It was ruled by the pope• In addition, the Austrians still ruled Venetia• Italy needed foreign help to remove Austria

from Venetia, it called upon Prussia

Final Steps to Unification

• In 1866 Italy allied itself with Prussia in a war against Austria

• In return, Prussia promised to give Venetia to Italy

• Austria defeated Italian forces in the conflict, but Prussia emerged victorious

• Prussia gave Venetia to Italy

Italy 1861-1870

• Kingdom of Italy declared – Victor Emmanuel II ‘by the grace of God and the rule of the people’

• First parliament met in Turin, March 1861• 1866 VE II anxious to prove Italian military

prowess• 2 shattering defeats followed – no support

from Venetians!

Italy 1861-1870 (2)

• Venetia occupied after Austrian defeat – voted to join with Italy

• Garibaldi made 2 failed attempts to seize Rome (1862, 1867) – little support from the Romans

• 1870 Franco-Prussian War saw withdrawal of French garrison

• Pius XI soon withdrew to the Vatican

Final Steps to Unification

• Foreign help was also involved in retrieving Rome for Italy

• Napoleon III had withdrawn troops that had been protecting Rome during his war with Prussia

• This gave Italian troops the opportunity to seize Rome for their own

• In 1871, Victor Emmanuel II moved the national capital from Florence to Rome

• The political unification of Italy was finally complete

How united was Italy by 1870?

• Bad relations with the Papacy• Lack of common language• Spread of Piedmontese constitution caused conflict• Franchise restricted – ½ million/22 million• Liberal aims had little in common with peasantry• Severe economic problems• ‘Brigands’ War’ in the South for many years• Political system did not develop well

Mazzini’s verdict on Italy, 1871

• Italian territory under foreign control

• Foreigners had played too important a role in unification

• Unhappy with new constitution

Italian Unification Timeline

1870 - Franco-Prussian War, Italy takes RomeITALY UNIFIED

1859 – War With Austria, Italy gets Lombardy with help of Napoleon III

1852 – Cavour becomes Prime Minister of Sardinia

•1861- Victor Emmanuel II Proclaimed “King of Italy”•Cavour dies

1860 – Garibaldi and the “Red Shirt”Land in Sicily

1871: Rome proclaimed capitalof unified Italy

1866: 7 Weeks’ War, Italy sides with Prussia & receives Venice

Revolution of 1848

• In 1870, the Franco-Prussian war began and the last French troops protecting the Pope were withdrawn.

• The Italian army moved into Rome and the Law of Papal Guarantees (1871) was passed by the Italian legislature giving the Pope complete spiritual authority in Italy and also giving sovereign diplomatic recognition to the Vatican.

• However, the Law was rejected by Pope Pius IX and all succeeding popes until 1929.

• Pius IX refused to leave his only remaining territory, the Vatican district within the city of Rome, because that would be a recognition of the nation of Italy and the 1870 settlement. 

• Pope Pius IX thus became the "Prisoner of the Vatican". Four other popes would follow this tradition until the signing of the Lateran Pact in 1929.

• The most ardent nationalists still saw territory in the north along the border with Austria that they called "Italia Irredenta", unredeemed Italy, that they believed rightfully belonged to the nation of Italy and should be under Italian rule.

• This territory would play a major role in Italy's entry into World War I in 1915.

Italy Today• The Lateran Treaty of 1929

created a separate sovereign Vatican state and the Catholic Church recognized the sovereignty of the nation of Italy.

• Italy, under the rule of the Fascist dictator Benito Mussolini at the time, recognized Catholicism as Italy's official religion and gave the Catholic Church a major role in the Italian public school system.

• In 1929, Pope Pius XI became the first pope to leave the Vatican after his coronation since 1870.