Question

Briefly trace the process of Italy Unification.

Hint:

Italy was unified under the leadership of Mazzini (ideas), Cavour (diplacy), and Garibaldi (military action).

Answer 1

The unification of Italy was a long political and military process through which various independent states of the Italian Peninsula were united into a single nation during the 19th century. This movement is known as the “Risorgimento”. In the early 19th century, Italy was divided into several states such as Sardinia-Piedmont, Lombardy, Venetia, Tuscany, the Papal States, and the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. Many of these states were under Austrian control. The movement for unification was led by three important leaders — Giuseppe Mazzini, Count Camillo de Cavour, and Giuseppe Garibaldi. Giuseppe Mazzini was a revolutionary who formed the organization “Young Italy” and spread the idea of a unified Italian republic. Count Cavour, the Prime Minister of Sardinia-Piedmont, played a diplomatic role. He formed alliances with France and defeated Austria in 1859, which helped in acquiring Lombardy. Giuseppe Garibaldi led the famous “Red Shirts” and conquered Sicily and Naples in 1860. He handed over these territories to King Victor Emmanuel II of Sardinia. In 1861, Victor Emmanuel II was declared the King of united Italy. Later, Venetia was annexed in 1866 and Rome in 1870, completing the unification of Italy. Thus, through revolutionary movements, diplomacy, and wars, Italy became a unified nation in 1870.