The unification of ItalyThe unification of Italy-when Italy was born-

 was the political and social process that unified different states of the Italian peninsula into the single nation of Italy.

Following the defeat of Napoleonic France and the Congress of Vienna (1815) in Italy there were different independent governments, either directly ruled or strongly influenced by the prevailing European powers, particularly Austrian Empire with the Habsburgs.

Risorgimento Risorgimento (to Resurge, to rise again)

Savoy Spanish Bourbon dynasty

Hasburgs

Pope

There were some revolutionary groups wanted Union of Italy

But

Carbonari (coal-burners)  a secret organization formed in Southern Italy early in the 19th century and inspired by the principles of the French Revolution

Giovine Italia (Young Italy) created by Giuseppe Mazzini

1848 : First Italian War of Independence

: Second Italian War of Independence:

against Austria 1859 1860

The battles for Freedom:

Some territories were made free !!!

1860: Giuseppe Garibaldi gathered about a thousand volunteers  to set the Southern Italy free – “The Expedition of the Thousand” or “of the Redshirts” “La spedizione dei Mille”

against Borbons

Hungarian and Polish troops helped The Thousand of Garibaldi !

Southern Italy was made free !!!

All freed territories joined All freed territories joined under the Kingdom of Sardiniaunder the Kingdom of Sardinia

17th March 1861 : The Kingdom of Italy was proclaimed

under the king Victor Emmanuel II of Savoy

Only Venice and Rome were not included in the new state

They were added in 1866 and in 1870

Italians at last had their own Country

With a Parliament

With a capital City: Roma

With an official Constitution: “Lo Statuto Albertino”

March 17th 2011March 17th 2011

Celebrations:

The President of Italian Republic Giorgio Napolitano will visit “Altare della Patria” and the “Pantheon” (in Rome), where is Vittorio Emanuele II’s tomb.

All the regional capital cities will raise a commemorative flag in the same moment.

“White Night” in several Italian cities

Special Tv Programs and Shows

“Tricolour arrows” (Frecce Tricolori) show in Rome

Pop Music Concert in Piazza del Popolo (Rome)

Classic Music Concert with Riccardo Muti in the Chamber

Students won’t go to school

But during the previous daysthere’ll be some Celebration in each school …

Strong link in Europe for a movement for freedom against regnant Thrones

Mazzini and Kossuth were members of the same European Committee and they discussed about freedom

Garibaldi and Kossuth met several times