1. Introduction to Italian Unification: Before the 19th century, Italy was only a ‘geographical expression’. There was no unity among the different States. Hence they became victims of foreign domination. The northern states of Lombardy and Venetia were directly under the Austrians, other small states were under the Hapsburgs, Parma, Modena, and Tuscany were under the Austrian Royal family, Central Italian Duchies were ruled by the Pope and Naples and Sicily in the South were under the Bourbons of France.
By 1820, insurrections began. These insurrections were the work of secret societies. The largest of these was the Carbonari or ‘Charcoal burners’. They were active in creating opposition to foreign rule. There were many revolts during 1820-1831. But the revolts were put down by Austria. Joseph Mazzini called the ‘Soul of Italian unification’ was born at Genoa in 1805. He was a lawyer by Profession. He believed that ‘Pen is mightier than Sword’ and decided to infuse patriotism among the people through his articles. He was a member of the Carbonari. He founded a society called ‘Young Italy’ in 1831.
2. First Stage of Unification: Young Italy was an organization of the Youth and a secret and underground organization. Mazzini felt that unification has to be achieved only by ItaliAnswer: Men below 40 years of age were given membership to this society. They were able-bodied youth of Italy. The unity of – Italy was preached as a new religion and a holy mission. ‘God, the people and Italy’ were the watchwords of this organization. Because of his activities, Mazzini was banished and lived in exile in France, Switzerland, and England and guided the movement from outside.
Mazzini’s influence was such that in 1848, well organized revolts were seen in Italy. People of Lombardy, Parma, Modena arid Tuscany rose in revolt against their rulers. Since there was no unity among them, they were easily put down by Austria and France. Charles Albert, the King of Italy led the national movement and drove out Austria from Lombardy. But this success was short-lived. The Austrians defeated the Sardinian army. Disappointed with this, Charles Albert abdicated his throne in favour of his son Victor Emmanuel II.
Count de Cavour believed that Italian Unification could be achieved only with the help of other European countries. Hence, he took part in the Crimean war. This war fought during 1854-1856 with England and France on the side of Turkey against Russia had no reason for Cavour to take part. But with foresight to create an image about his State before England and France, he made this move. He remarked. ‘Out of the mud of Crimea, Italy will be made’. After the war in the Paris Peace Congress, he put forth the problems of Italy before the leaders.
Napoleon III, the ruler of France was very sympathetic to the cause of Italian Unification. Cavour signed an agreement with Napoleon III at Plombieres in 1858. Napoleon promised to help Cavour against Austria in return for which Cavour had to give Savoy and Nice. Cavour built his army. Austria was suspicious of the meeting between Cavour and Napoleon and the militarization of Sardinia and ordered Sardinia to disarm. When Sardinia refused, the war began in 1859.
This war lasted for two months. The Austrians were defeated at Magenta and Salfereno. But Napoleon stopped the war without giving a clue to Sardinia, concluded the treaty of ‘Villa Franca’ with Austria. According to this treaty, Austrian troops were evacuated from Lombardy and it was ceded to Victor Emmanuel II. Thus, the first stage of unification was set in.
3. Second Stage of Unification: Napoleon received Nice and Savoy. The abrupt end of the war disappointed Cavour. He forced King Victor Emmanuel II not to accept the treaty of Villa Franca. But when Victor Emmanuel refused he resigned. But soon he was re-elected and took over as the Prime Minister. In 1860, Modena, Parma, Tuscany, Romagna voted to merge with Sardinia. This led to the second step in the unification. Considered ‘the Brain of Italian Unification’ Count de Cavour. died in 1861. He died almost a decade before the total Unification of Italy, His last words were “Italy is made, all is safe’. It was indeed an optimistic quote.
4. Third Stage of Unification: The third stage of Italian Unification was achieved by the great patriot, Garibaldi. He was born in 1807 at Nice. He became a member of ‘Young Italy’ at the age of 24 and took part in the revolutionary activities.
He participated in a revolt organized by Mazzini at Savoy in 1834. But the revolt failed. Because of his nationalistic activities, he was given a death sentence. He managed to escape to South America and lived in exile for 14 years. He had a large number of loyal followers prepared for any sacrifice for the sake of their country. They were transformed into an army called ‘Red Shirts’. During the 1848 revolution, he returned to Italy and took part in the Italian Nationalist Movement. During the war between Sardinia and Austria, he commanded the Sardinian forces.
In 1860, the people of Sicily sought his help against the Bourbons. Immediately he went with his army of Red Shirts and within two months Francis II was defeated and Sicily was annexed. Then he went to Naples and defeated Francis II there also. He wanted to proceed to Rome, but Cavour did not like his move and prevailed upon Victor Emmanuel II to prevent him from doing so. So an army of Victor Emmanuel II was sent to Rome.
Garibaldi, whose main aim was the Unification of Italy, handed over Naples and Sicily to Victor Emmanuel II. Garibaldi is called the ‘Sword of Italian Unification’. A true patriot, he refused to accept titles and honours which were offered to him, went back to his village and lived the life of a peasant.
Victor Emmanuel II, the King of Sardinia was a patriot himself and an honest King of Italy. He achieved the unification through peaceful negotiations. He appointed Count Cavour as his prime minister. By 1861, Cavour had united-most of Italy. On 18th February 1861, a new Parliament was convened at Turin and Victor Emmanuel II was proclaimed as the King of Italy. But Venetia and Rome were yet to be added. Venetia was under Austria and Rome was under the Pope. In 1866, a war broke out between Austria and Prussia, in which Victor Emmanuel II sided with Prussia. The victory of Prussia over Austria compelled Austria to give Venetia to Italy.
In 1870, when there was a war between Prussia and France. Napoleon III withdraw his forces from Rome which had been kept for the protection of the Pope. Immediately, Victor Emmanuel’s troops occupied Rome. The unification of Italy was completed in 1870. Rome became the capital of United Italy. Thus, the Patriotism of Mazzini, the Wars of Garibaldi, the Diplomacy of Cavour and the Statesmanship of Victor Emmanuel helped the Unification of Italy.
