Unification of Italy

Italy in early 1800s

Obstacles to Unity Geographic problems - mountains

separate Italy into regions (remember those 5 themes?)

Italy is a collection of separate kingdoms

Most kingdoms ruled by outside powers Naples – Spain Venice & Lombardy – Austria Papal states – Pope / Church

The Leaders Giuseppe Mazzini

The “soul” of Italian unity Leads a secret nationalistic movement

“Young Italy Society” Wanted unified Italy Wanted Italy to be a democracy / republic

Viktor Emmanuel II and Camillo Cavour Led the “Resorgimento” (revival) Cavour is the “brains” behind the

operation King Victor Emmanuel is the “Heart”

Cavour

Mazzini

Viktor Emmanuel II

The History

1848 Revolution Kingdom of Piedmont and Sardinia

stood up to Austria Fought Austria to aid other Italian

states under control of Austria Lost – but gained the respect of all

Italians

King of Piedmont forced out, but his son Viktor Emmanuel II and Cavour step in to take over – good move

1859 Things looking up

France and Austria go to war.

Piedmont, allies with France.

When France wins, Piedmont gets Lombardy from Austria. Piedmont now seen as most influential

Italian kingdom. People in other kingdoms rise up and

join Piedmont. Tuscany, Modena, Parma

Piedmont

Enter Garibaldi

Giuseppe Garibaldi The “Sword” of Italian unity Formed a volunteer army of

nationalists “1,000 Red Shirts”

Sailed to Sicily and took it over.

Sailed to Southern Italy Moved up through Italy

conquering and unifying Ended up unifying nearly all

of Italy

Garibaldi continued Good general, lousy

politician – and he knew it.

After unifying most of Italy, he turned control over to Viktor Emmanuel. Knew Emmanuel was a

better politician who could lead all of Italy

Not all is perfect – Plenty of corruption

and little real unity, but it is a start

Map of Italy beginning to look like the Italy we know today