Italian Unification

Introduction

It was a social and political movement in the 19th century that united the entire Italian peninsula into a single political entity that is the Kingdom of Italy. The initiatives for unification started in the year 1815 with the congress of Vienna and completed the whole process in the year 1871 with Rome as its capital. It is the same year in which Europe witnessed the Unification of Germany under the leadership of Otto Von Bismarck.

Background of Italian Unification

Italy was divided into many political entities like city-states up to the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 CE. The division was aggravated with the invasion of the eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire). The Holy Roman Empire controlled the northern regions of Italy and the southern and central regions were controlled by the Kingdom of Sicily, the Kingdom of Naples, and the Papal States.

The emergence of the city-states like Milan and Venice changed the power structure in the region, especially the balance of power prevailed in the territory. The conflict between the states and the Holy Roman Empire ended in the Peace treaty of Westphalia in 1648. During that time the Holy Roman Empire was under the control of the Spanish branch of the Habsburgs. So most of the territories were under the control of the Habsburgs and it ended with the Spanish succession wars. Until the French revolution in the year 1789, Italy remained divided and fragmented into many political units.

Napoleonic Era

In the battle of Austerlitz, Napoleon Bonaparte defeated the last ruler of the Holy Roman Empire, thus he established his authority over many regions. The French Revolution and the ideas it promoted have impacted Italian society, which destroyed the old feudalistic structure and introduced a new thought process for the unification of Italian territory in the future. The foreign invasion and rule were criticised by Italian society with the inspiration they received from the French Revolution.

Unification of Italy

With the fall of Napoleon Bonaparte, the European powers constituted the Congress of Vienna in 1815, intending to bring the political structure followed in the pre-Napoleonic era. This initiative was not acceptable to the Italians because they got fed up with the restoration of absolute monarchy and foreign invasion. Many ideas for the unification of Italy were planned by the leaders and Giuseppe Mazzini wanted to establish a united Italy under a federal republic and confederation of states.

Guizppe Mazzini

Giuseppe Mazzini formed a revolutionary movement called Young Italy in the year 1831 to establish a United Republic. He has influenced a larger section of the population especially the youth with his revolutionary ideas, which led to the formation of revolutionary cells throughout the Italian territory.

Guiseppe Garibaldi

After the 1930 the Italian territory witnessed many uprisings and suppressions which boosted the revolutionary elements. Guiseppe Garibaldi emerged as one of the major leaders of the revolutionary movements in Italy. He participated in the 1848 insurrection, but it got failed and later he lends his support to King Victor Emmanuel II of Piedmont. Garibaldi mainly focused on the southern regions of Italy. In the year 1860, Garibaldi and his forces popularly known as red shirts captured Sicily and Naples; he handed over these territories to Victor Emmanuel II.

Count Cavour

Count Cavour was a diplomat and leader who provided the leadership for the Italian unification movement. He was interested in improving trade, agriculture, banking, etc., and introduced modern methods for development after becoming the Prime Minister of Sardinia-Piedmont in 1852. He reorganized the army, introduced a new taxation system, and improved the banking, and postal system. With the involvement of Count Cavour, the Kingdom of Italy became an ally of France and England in the Crimean war.

Cavour realized that one of the main challenges for the unification was the dominance of Austria in northern Italy. Count Cavour with the support of Napoleon III of France provoked a war with the Austrians, and their combined army succeeded in their war against Austria. Count Cavour was mainly focused on the northern regions of Italy, which were also handed over to Victor Emmanuel II because they accepted him as the king of the kingdom of Italy.

Venetia was added to Italy in the year 1866 after the defeat of Austria against Prussia. Under a new Italy, the government sent certain troops to take over Rome from the pope. The people in Rome voted for a union and made Rome the capital of the new union, which completed the unification of Italy.

Aftermath of the Italian Unification

After the unification, the control of the entire Italy was handled by the Kingdom of Piedmont, and they exercised their domination over other states which were against the interest of the Italian people. The old Kingdom of Sardinia was renamed the new Kingdom of Italy, and the constitution they followed was the old constitution of Piedmont.

FAQs

Qns 1. Who was King Victor Emmanuel II?

Ans. He was the King of Italy and holds the title of the first king of united Italy. He held the position as the king of Italy from 1861 to 1878. After the annexation of many places in Italy by the leaders like Guiseppe Garibaldi, and Count Cavour, those places were handed over to Victor Emmanuel II because they accepted him as the king of the kingdom of Italy.

Qns 2. What was the role of Napoleon Bonaparte in European history?

Ans. He was a French leader who emerged as the ruler of France after the French revolution. He was a military leader who led many successful military campaigns in Europe against other powers like Britain. He enjoyed the real power of the French Republic from 1799 to 1804. He has conquered many parts of Europe during his reign.