Italian Unification Overview

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What were the main obstacles to Italian unity in 1815?

Lack of resources

Austrian occupation (correct)

Presence of independent states (correct)

Papal States (correct)

Giuseppe Mazzini supported absolute monarchy.

False

Who founded the movement 'Young Italy'?

Giuseppe Mazzini

Count Camillo di Cavour was the prime minister of the Kingdom of Sardinia.

True Signup and view all the answers

Cavour wanted Italy to be both ______ and united.

industrialized Signup and view all the answers

What was the name of Giuseppe Garibaldi's army?

Red Shirts Signup and view all the answers

In what year was the kingdom of Italy established?

1861 Signup and view all the answers

What were some challenges faced by Italy after unification?

Hostility between the Catholic Church and the government Signup and view all the answers

What major development helped to unify the Italian people after unification?

Standard form of the Italian language Signup and view all the answers

What were the three main obstacles to Italian unity identified in 1815?

Austrian occupation, Papal States, existence of independent states Signup and view all the answers

Who founded the movement 'Young Italy'?

Giuseppe Mazzini Signup and view all the answers

Which of these leaders was known for leading the Red Shirts?

Giuseppe Garibaldi Signup and view all the answers

What was one of Count Camillo di Cavour's main goals?

To industrialize and unite Italy Signup and view all the answers

What regions did Cavour promise to give to France in exchange for military support?

Nice and Savoy Signup and view all the answers

In what year was the Kingdom of Italy established?

1861 Signup and view all the answers

The Papal States were completely absorbed into the Kingdom of Italy immediately after 1861.

False Signup and view all the answers

The secret society known as the ______ formed after Italian unification.

Mafia Signup and view all the answers

What was introduced to help unify the people of Italy after unification?

A standard form of the Italian language Signup and view all the answers

What major challenge persisted in Italy after its unification?

Hostility between the Roman Catholic Church and the government Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Italy's Fragmentation and Obstacles to Unity

Post-1815 Congress of Vienna, Italy was divided.
Three main obstacles to Italian unity:
- Austrian occupation of Lombardy and Venice (North-Northeast)
- Papal States (Central)
- Presence of independent states like Kingdom of Sardinia, Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, Duchies of Tuscany, Parma, and Modena

Key Figures in Italian Unification

Giuseppe Mazzini:
- Vision for unified Italy with a democratic republic.
- Member of Carbonari (secret society for Italian unification).
- Founded "Young Italy" in 1831.
- Played a key role in the 1848 Revolution.
- Briefly led a Roman Republic in the Papal States.
Count Camillo di Cavour:
- Prime Minister of Kingdom of Sardinia (1852).
- Strengthened Piedmont by promoting industry, railroads, agriculture, education, and the army.
- Favored parliamentary government and aimed for an industrialized and unified Italy.
- Sought to reduce the Catholic Church's influence in politics.
- Made a secret agreement with Napoleon III in 1858 to drive Austrians out of Italy.
Giuseppe Garibaldi:
- Leader of Italian nationalists in Southern Italy.
- Led the "Red Shirts" (army) to capture Sicily and conquer Southern areas.
- Agreed to unite Southern Italy with Piedmont-Sardinia.
- Handed over power to Victor Emmanuel II of Sardinia.

The Unification Process

1861: Kingdom of Italy established with Victor Emmanuel II as king.
1866: Venetia joined Italy after Austria's defeat in the Seven Weeks War.
1870: Rome became the capital of Italy after French troops withdrew during the Franco-Prussian War.

Challenges After Unification

Regional divisions:
- Lack of experience in self-government.
- Tension between industrialized North and agricultural South.
- Hostility between the Catholic Church and the government.
Mafia:
- A powerful secret society that the central government struggled to control.

Developments after Unification

Standardization of Italian language.
Growth of industrialization and urbanization (mostly in North Italy).
Expansion of modern education.
Creation of a strong national army.

Unification of Italy

Italy was fragmented after the Congress of Vienna in 1815.
The Italian peninsula was divided by three entities: Austria, the Papal States and other independent states.
Austria occupied Lombardy and Venice in the north, impeding unification efforts.
The Papal States, governed by the Pope, were situated in the center of the peninsula, separating the north and south.
Other significant independent states include:
- The Kingdom of Sardinia, also known as Piedmont-Sardinia, which was relatively powerful in the north and included Piedmont and Sardinia.
- The Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, encompassing the southern half of the peninsula and Sicily.
- Tuscany, Parma, and Modena, all ruled by Habsburg relatives.

Key Leaders and Unification Efforts

Giuseppe Mazzini:
- Envisioned a united Italy as a liberal democratic republic opposed to monarchy.
- Founded the "Young Italy" movement in 1831 which aimed to unite Italy.
- Played a prominent role in the 1848 Revolution, leading a short-lived Roman Republic in the Papal States until overthrown by French forces.
Count Camillo di Cavour:
- Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Sardinia from 1852.
- Strengthened Piedmont through industrialization, railroad development, agricultural improvements, education initiatives, and military expansion.
- Advocated for a parliamentarian style of government and sought to reduce the Catholic Church's political influence.
- Considered Austria the main obstacle to Italian unity and sought alliances to defeat them.
- In 1858, he secretly agreed with Napoleon III to drive Austria from Lombardy and Venetia if Austria declared war on Sardinia.
Giuseppe Garibaldi:
- Led Italian nationalists in southern Italy with his "Red Shirts" army.
- Conquered Sicily and parts of mainland Italy, eventually uniting with Piedmont-Sardinia.
- Agreed to cede control to Victor Emmanuel II of Sardinia.
Victor Emmanuel II:
- Became King of the Kingdom of Italy in 1861 which included all of Italy except Venetia and the Papal States.
- Venetia was gained in 1866 after Austria's defeat in the Seven Weeks War.
- Rome became the capital of Italy in 1870, after French troops withdrew during the Franco-Prussian war, solidifying Italian unification.

Challenges After Unification

Regional Division:
- The North's industrial development contrasted with the South's agrarian economy, contributing to instability.
- Italians lacked experience in self-government, leading to further political unease.
- The Roman Catholic Church and the new government were antagonistic.
Mafia:
- The Mafia emerged as a powerful force, largely unchecked by the central government, posing a significant challenge to national unity.

Developments After Unification

Standardization of Language:
- A standard form of the Italian language was implemented to unify the people.
Industrialization and Urbanization:
- Predominantly concentrated in northern Italy.
Education:
- Expansion of modern education.
Military:
- Creation of a strong national army.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Explore the key obstacles and figures that shaped Italy's path to unification in the 19th century. This quiz covers the impact of the Congress of Vienna, the roles of Giuseppe Mazzini and Count Camillo di Cavour, and the fragmented political landscape of Italy prior to unity.