What Caused Italian Unification?

Summary

Italy's unification, or *Risorgimento*, was a complex journey from a fragmented peninsula of independent states to a unified kingdom. The process was shaped by key events, including Napoleon's brief unification, revolutionary uprisings in 1848, and the strategic leadership of Piedmont-Sardinia's King Victor Emmanuel II and Prime Minister Cavour. Garibaldi's military campaigns in the south were pivotal, while foreign alliances with France and Prussia helped weaken Austrian influence. By 1871, after key military victories and diplomatic maneuvering, Italy was fully unified with Rome as its capital, marking the rise of a new European power.

Takeaways

• 😀 Italy was not a unified country for most of its history and was instead made up of various independent states with different cultures, governments, and languages.
• 😀 The unification of Italy, or Risorgimento, began during the Napoleonic Wars when the peninsula was briefly unified under French rule, which led to economic growth and the emergence of a middle class.
• 😀 After Napoleon's defeat, the Congress of Vienna in 1815 restored many of Italy's fragmented states and led to the dominance of Austria, stoking resentment among Italians.
• 😀 Several conflicting ideas for Italian unification emerged, including a republic, a confederation led by the Pope, and gradual liberal reforms championed by figures like Camillo Benso, Count of Cavour.
• 😀 The 1848 Revolutions across Europe sparked significant uprisings in Italy, marking the beginning of the Risorgimento and leading to temporary gains for revolutionary movements.
• 😀 The failure of revolutionary movements in 1848-49 led to the realization that unification would have to be achieved under a monarchy, specifically the House of Savoy of Piedmont-Sardinia.
• 😀 Piedmont-Sardinia sought allies to counter Austria, notably forming an alliance with France, which played a key role in driving Austrian forces out of Italy during the Second Italian War of Independence (1859).
• 😀 The Kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia, under Victor Emmanuel II, expanded its territory but was forced to make territorial concessions, like Nice and Savoy, to France, which disillusioned some Italian revolutionaries.
• 😀 Giuseppe Garibaldi's volunteer army (the 'Thousand') played a crucial role in overthrowing the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies in 1860, leading to the unification of much of Italy under Piedmont-Sardinia.
• 😀 Italy officially became a unified kingdom in 1861, with Victor Emmanuel II as its first king. However, the unification process wasn't complete until the conquest of Venice (1866) and Rome (1870).

Q & A

Why was Italy not considered a unified country for most of its history?

For most of its history, Italy was a collection of separate states with distinct cultures, forms of government, and even languages. These regions identified more with their localities, like Piedmont, Tuscany, or Naples, rather than as Italians, making national unity unfeasible until the 19th century.

How did the Napoleonic Wars influence Italian unification?

Under French occupation during the Napoleonic Wars, Italy was administered as three regions, and this brief period of centralization allowed for greater internal trade and economic growth. This unity and meritocratic governance helped form a rising middle class that would later demand a more unified Italy.

What was the Congress of Vienna's impact on Italy?

After Napoleon’s defeat, the Congress of Vienna in 1815 redrew Europe’s borders, restoring many of Italy's fragmented states under foreign rule, especially Austria. This reinforced the lack of unity and sparked resistance among Italians who sought a unified nation.

Who were the main figures behind the Italian unification (Risorgimento)?

Key figures in the Risorgimento included Giuseppe Mazzini, who advocated for a republican Italy; Count Camillo Benso di Cavour, who championed gradual liberal reforms; and Giuseppe Garibaldi, a revolutionary leader who played a crucial role in uniting southern Italy.

What role did secret societies play in the Italian unification process?

Secret societies, such as the Carbonari, were instrumental in organizing revolts and spreading nationalist and liberal ideas. Although their efforts initially failed, they laid the groundwork for later unification movements.

What was the significance of the 1848 revolutions in Italy?

The 1848 revolutions across Europe sparked nationalist and liberal uprisings in Italy. While these revolts failed, they marked the beginning of the Risorgimento, pushing forward the desire for a unified Italy, though the country was still far from achieving that goal.

How did Piedmont-Sardinia play a central role in Italian unification?

Piedmont-Sardinia, under the leadership of King Victor Emmanuel II and Prime Minister Cavour, became the focal point for unification. It was the only Italian state ruled by Italians and played a pivotal role in forming alliances, leading military efforts, and eventually uniting much of Italy.

What was the importance of the Franco-Piedmontese alliance in 1858?

The Franco-Piedmontese alliance in 1858, formed between Cavour and Napoleon III, was crucial in weakening Austrian control over northern Italy. This alliance led to military victories, notably at Solferino, and allowed for the expansion of Piedmont-Sardinia’s influence, which brought Italy closer to unification.

What was Garibaldi’s role in southern Italy's unification?

Garibaldi led the famous Expedition of the Thousand in 1860, where he successfully conquered Sicily and Naples, effectively overthrowing the Bourbon monarchy. His actions were crucial in bringing southern Italy into the fold of a unified nation, although his republican views conflicted with the monarchy of Piedmont-Sardinia.

How did the Kingdom of Italy form in 1861?

In 1861, after Garibaldi’s southern conquests and Piedmont-Sardinia’s victories, Italy was proclaimed the Kingdom of Italy, with Victor Emmanuel II as king and Cavour as the first Prime Minister. However, some regions like Venice and Rome were still not part of the new kingdom.

What were the final stages of Italian unification after 1861?

After 1861, Italy’s unification continued with the Third Italian War of Independence in 1866, supported by Prussia, leading to the acquisition of Venice. The final piece, Rome, was captured in 1870 after French troops withdrew due to the Franco-Prussian War, officially completing the unification of Italy.

Why did the monarchy in Italy eventually fall in 1946?

After World War II, the Italian monarchy faced growing opposition due to its association with fascism and the failed leadership during the war. In 1946, a referendum abolished the monarchy, and Italy became a republic, reflecting the desires of the people who wanted a new, democratic political system.