Giuseppe GARIBALDI e la SPEDIZIONE dei MILLE

Summary

The transcript chronicles the events leading to the unification of Italy in the mid-19th century, focusing on key figures like Giuseppe Garibaldi, Giuseppe Mazzini, and Count Cavour. It highlights Garibaldi's famous expedition of the 'Thousand,' his battles in Sicily and southern Italy, and the eventual collaboration with the Kingdom of Sardinia. Despite challenges, including conflicts with local nobility and revolutionary ideals, the campaign culminates in the establishment of the Kingdom of Italy. The unification, however, leaves unresolved tensions and lays the groundwork for future struggles in the newly formed nation.

Takeaways

• 😀 The plebiscites of March 1860 brought temporary peace to Italy, but the road to unification was still long and challenging.
• 😀 Mazzini and Garibaldi, leading the democratic faction, devised a plan to unite Italy through a revolution in the south, requiring ships, arms, and volunteers.
• 😀 Garibaldi, known as the 'Hero of Two Worlds,' was motivated by the loss of his hometown, Nice, to France, and aimed to spark a revolution in the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies.
• 😀 The Kingdom of the Two Sicilies was politically unstable, with King Francis II ruling after the death of Ferdinand II, making it vulnerable to revolution.
• 😀 Francesco Crispi, a Sicilian Mazzinian in exile, was a key figure in organizing the Sicilian revolt against the Bourbon monarchy.
• 😀 Garibaldi's Expedition of the Thousand, consisting of 1,000 volunteers, set sail in May 1860 from Quarto and landed in Marsala, Sicily, where they were greeted as liberators.
• 😀 Garibaldi's forces won key battles, including at Calatafimi, where he famously declared, 'Here we make Italy or die.'
• 😀 On May 14, 1860, Garibaldi assumed dictatorial power in Sicily, claiming to do so in the name of Victor Emmanuel II, King of Italy.
• 😀 After the conquest of Palermo and other parts of Sicily, Garibaldi's forces gained momentum, and the population increasingly supported the unification cause.
• 😀 The Bourbon army was ultimately defeated, and Garibaldi continued to advance northward, culminating in the conquest of Naples on September 7, 1860.
• 😀 The Sardinian government, led by Cavour, supported Garibaldi behind the scenes but feared the potential creation of a republic in the south, which prompted the intervention of French-backed Sardinian forces to control the process of unification.
• 😀 Garibaldi's victory in southern Italy was followed by plebiscites, which overwhelmingly supported the annexation of territories to the Kingdom of Sardinia, leading to the proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy in 1861 under Victor Emmanuel II.

Q & A

What was the significance of the plebiscites in March 1860 in Italy?

The plebiscites of March 1860 played a key role in bringing a degree of peace to the Italian peninsula, but they also marked the beginning of the complex and ongoing journey towards unification. They reflected a growing movement for change and the desire for unity, although the path was still challenging.

What role did Mazzini and Garibaldi play in the Italian unification efforts?

Mazzini and Garibaldi, both prominent leaders in the Italian unification movement, had different approaches. Mazzini, who led the democratic and republican faction, was focused on a vision of a unified Italy through revolutionary action. Garibaldi, a military hero, was more pragmatic and involved in organizing and leading direct military action, including the famous Expedition of the Thousand in 1860.

How did the Bourbon kingdom react to the growing resistance in Southern Italy?

The Bourbon kingdom, under King Francesco II, was in a weakened state. The kingdom faced internal revolts and external threats, leading to unrest, particularly in Sicily. Despite attempts to quell uprisings, such as the failed attempt to suppress Palermo in April 1860, the situation continued to deteriorate, ultimately leading to the fall of the Bourbon regime.

What was the significance of the Battle of Calatafimi?

The Battle of Calatafimi, fought on May 15, 1860, was a significant moment in the Expedition of the Thousand. Although the battle itself was relatively small with few casualties, it marked a pivotal victory for Garibaldi and his volunteers, boosting morale and cementing their credibility as liberators in the eyes of the Sicilian population.

What role did local support play in Garibaldi's success in Sicily?

Local support was crucial to Garibaldi's success in Sicily. As his forces advanced, they were greeted as liberators by many Sicilians, including local rebels and the Picciotti (local insurgents). This widespread support was essential in enabling Garibaldi to move forward with little resistance and ultimately take control of the island.

How did Garibaldi's leadership shape the course of the unification?

Garibaldi's leadership was instrumental in the success of the Expedition of the Thousand and the subsequent unification of Italy. His ability to inspire and lead a diverse group of volunteers, his strategic decisions, and his capacity to rally the population under the banner of unity made him one of the most iconic figures in Italian history.

What was Cavour's role in the unification process?

Count Cavour played a more diplomatic and political role in the unification of Italy. As Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Sardinia, Cavour worked behind the scenes to support Garibaldi’s efforts by providing military aid, even though the Sardinian government did not officially endorse Garibaldi’s actions. He also facilitated the political process that led to the unification, including the Plebiscites and Garibaldi's eventual meeting with King Victor Emmanuel II.

What challenges did Garibaldi face in establishing a stable government in Sicily?

After his military successes in Sicily, Garibaldi faced several challenges in establishing a stable government. These included economic difficulties, resistance from local elites (such as the nobility and landowners), and the lack of a solid political and military foundation to support long-term reforms, particularly in agriculture. Additionally, Garibaldi's policies were not always aligned with the interests of all social groups in the south.

What led to the ultimate surrender of King Francesco II of the Two Sicilies?

King Francesco II of the Two Sicilies was unable to stop the advancing Garibaldini and the growing popular support for the unification cause. After a series of military defeats and the eventual fall of Palermo, Francesco II retreated to Gaeta. His attempts at negotiating reforms and offering a liberal constitution came too late, and on September 7, 1860, he fled to Gaeta, marking the end of Bourbon rule in Southern Italy.

What was the significance of the meeting between Garibaldi and King Victor Emmanuel II at Teano?

The meeting between Garibaldi and King Victor Emmanuel II at Teano on October 26, 1860, was a symbolic moment in the Italian unification process. It marked Garibaldi's formal handover of control of Southern Italy to the king, and his acknowledgment of Victor Emmanuel II as the legitimate ruler of a unified Italy. This meeting helped solidify the alliance between the revolutionary forces and the more moderate, constitutional monarchy, leading to the eventual formation of the Kingdom of Italy.