The Unification of Italy

The Unification of Italy

​'Italy is just a geographical expression.'

Italy in the early 19th century

​Geograhical expression

• several states (political and cultural differences)

• rise of nationalism (risorgimento = revival) -> wish for unification

• Kingdom of Sardinia-Piedmont (NW) -> leading role

Multiple Choice

Why could the Kingdom of Sardinia-PIedmont take initiative?

• It was one of the most powerful and influential states in Italy during the 19th century.
• As a result of being isolated from other European powers.

• Due to its lack of resources and military power.

• Because it was a small and insignificant state.

The struggle for unification

​The dream of Camillo di Cavour

• Cavour: PM of Piedmont-Sardinia

• modernisation of the kingdom (irrigation system, railway)

• provoked Austria into war (secret alliance with Napoleon III -> Sb. p9)

• 1859: battles of Magenta & Solferino -> Austrian defeat

• Solferino -> international red cross (Henri Dunant, Swiss businessman)

Multiple Choice

Why did Napoleon III support Piedmont against Austria?

• To weaken Austrian influence in Italy and to gain French influence in the region.
• To support the unification of Germany.

• To maintain the balance of power in Europe
• To strengthen Austrian influence in Italy.

The unification of Italy

Guiseppe Garibaldi

• Napoleon: peace with Austria

• Piedmont gained Lombardy, Venice not

• national revolts in the northern states (1859) -> joined Sardinia-Piedmont

• 1860: Garibaldi landed in Sicily with his Redshirts -> uprising in the Kingdom of Naples -> joined Sardinia-Piedmont

• proclamation of Italy: 1861, Vcitor Emmanuel II as the monarch

• capital: Florence

Multiple Choice

Why did Garibaldi support Victor Emmanuel despite their different beliefs?

• Garibaldi admired Victor Emmanuel's leadership
• Common goal of unifying Italy
• Victor Emmanuel forced him to support
• They were close relatives

What to do with Rome and Venice?

• Papal State, supported by the French

• Venice: taken by the Austrians

• 1866, battle of Custozza: Venice taken back

• Napoleon III: prevention of the occupation of Rome

• Franco-Prussian war (1870-1871) -> forces called back, Rome taken

• capital: Rome

• Pope: did not recognize the legitimacy of the Italian government over Rome

Multiple Choice

Why was the Pope dissatisfied with the unification of Italy?

• Lack of support from other European countries
• Loss of the Papal States and temporal power
• Disagreement with the political ideology of the Italian unification movement

The international league

• no colonies left (Great Britain, France)

• call for redivision of colonies (Germany's ally)