Post on 24-Dec-2015
ITALIAN UNIFICATION
Fall of the Roman Empire:• Italian Peninsula no longer unified• Most people spoke the same
language• Peninsula was divided into several
states• States were competing• Each state had their own
government • Napoleon’s unification did not last• Congress of Vienna split Italian
States• Nationalism is on a rise in Europe
ITALIAN UNIFICATIONPrince Matternich of Austria :• Wanted to maintain old Europe’s relationships• Realized after 15 years that it would not work• “the old Europe is nearing its end”
Nationalism grows in Europe Congress of Vienna created:
Political boundaries, ignoring national groups Groups under large Empires (some included different
ethnic groups)
Giuseppe Mazzini : the “heart”o Young Italy- Nationalists groupo Exiled, smuggled patriotic pamphlets into Italyo Wanted the lines set by the Congress of Vienna (in 1815) to
be redrawno Sparked Italian unification
ITALIAN UNIFICATION
Nationalist’s Influences:• Led many rebellions• Citizens in Italian states
rebelled against Austrian rule.• State of Piedmont declared
war against Austria• Rome is seized• Sardinia had a successful
revolt. • Rulers granted new constitution• Sardinia remained independent
ITALIAN UNIFICATIONCamillo di Cavour: the “brain”• Believed the Italian unification
movement would be successful
• Founded nationalist newspaper, Il Risorgimento
• Became Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Sardinia
• Believed in a strong economy and monarchy
• Supported France in a war with Russia, France helped with their war against Austria by 1860 northern Italy was liberated
“Nationalism has become general; it grows daily; and it has already grown strong enough to keep all parts of Italy united despite the differences that distinguish them.”
ITALIAN UNIFICATIONGiuseppe Garibaldi: the “sword”
Joined Young Italy in 1833 (Mazzini’s movement)
Forced to flee Italy twice, learned guerilla warfare in South America
Returned for good in 1854 5 years later approached by Cavour to lead
part of the ArmyHad a group of followers called the Red Shirts
Their uniforms were colorfulGained control of Sicily by July 1860Conquered Naples
Red Shirts now control the southern part of the Italian peninsula.
ITALIAN UNIFICATIONItaly United!
King Victor Emmanuel: Was from Sardinia
Was given the Kingdom of Two Sicilies by Garibaldi
Territories throughout Italy held elections, all agreed to unification
1866: Austria and Prussia go to war
--Italians side with Prussians, defeat Austria, Prussia gives Venetia to Italy
1870: France and Prussia go to war
--France withdraws troops from Rome, Italy enters Rome