UNIFICATION OF ITALY (1815–1871)
Napoleon, Garibaldi and Mazzini contributed to the unification of Italy which was divided into a number of states. It was the 19th-century political and social movement that resulted in the consolidation of different states of the Italian Peninsula into a single state, the Kingdom of Italy. Inspired by the rebellions in the 1820s and 1830s against the outcome of the Congress of Vienna, it reached completion in 1871, when Rome has officially designated the capital of the Kingdom of Italy.
Reasons for Italian Unification
- Territorial Unity: By the 19th century, Italy was divided into several states, including Sardinia, Lombardy, Venetia, the Kingdom of Two Sicilies (Sicily and Naples), Papal States, Tuscany, Parma, and Modena. Unification aimed to consolidate these fragmented states.
- Cultural Unity: Like the Germans, the Italians shared a common culture despite being divided geographically. This sense of cultural unity fostered a desire for territorial unification.
- Exploitation: The Italian territories were economically exploited by foreign powers such as Russia and France, leading to growing nationalism and the desire to resist exploitation.
- History of Italy: Italy had a long history as a center of the Renaissance and rationalism. This cultural heritage provided a foundation for unity.
- Promotion by Napoleon: Napoleon’s destruction of the Holy Roman Empire helped integrate smaller Italian states into larger ones, contributing to the idea of Italian unification.
Events Leading to Italian Unification
- Carbonari Movement: A secretive nationalist movement initiated in Northern Italy, it sought to challenge foreign control, though it had limited reach.
- Mazzini’s Young Italy Movement: In the 1830s, Giuseppe Mazzini led the Young Italy movement, advocating for Italian unification. It was suppressed by Austria.
- Cavour’s Role: Count Cavour, appointed by Emmanuel II as Prime Minister of Sardinia, led efforts toward unification under Sardinian leadership. He allied with France and Britain, using diplomatic and military strategies to fight Austrian influence in Italy.
- Role of the Revolutions of 1830 and 1848: These revolutions created momentum for unification. By 1860, plebiscites were held, and most Italian states, except Sicily, Naples, and the Papal States, joined the movement.
- Garibaldi and the Redshirts: Giuseppe Garibaldi captured Naples in 1861 and united Piedmont-Sardinia with other regions. His Redshirt army played a crucial role in securing territories, including Sicily. Garibaldi advocated for full unification.
Effects of Italian Unification:
- Inspiration to Other Nations: The success of Italy’s unification inspired revolutions and nationalist movements across Europe and the world.
- Growth of Political Democracy: The process of unification led to the gradual spread of political democracy, increasing people’s participation in governance.
- Independence Movements: The democratic ideas of unification spurred independence movements globally, such as the 1857 Revolt in India and the Taiping Rebellion in China.
Conclusion
The unification of Italy was a significant event in European history, marking the creation of a unified Italian state and inspiring other national movements. Figures like Napoleon, Garibaldi, and Mazzini played pivotal roles, and the unification process helped foster the growth of democracy and independence movements globally.