Risorgimento is the period of unification of Italy, which was a significant event of the 19th century. It united numerous small states and kingdoms into one nation. This process terminated centuries of segregation and alien domination. It began at the end of the Napoleonic Wars, and ended in 1870 when Rome was captured. The unification resulted in the Kingdom of Italy, though a lot of changes and difficulties were also caused.
Historical Background
Italy had long been torn. The Roman Empire collapsed in the 5th century, with other parties controlling its regions. These were the Lombard, Byzantine and later the German Holy Roman Emperors. By the Middle Ages, there were city-states in Italy such as Venice and Florence, and larger principalities such as the Papal States and the Kingdom of Naples. These areas were frequently subjected to wars and treaties by foreign powers, including Spain, France and Austria.
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All that changed in 1789 with the French Revolution and the conquests of Napoleon between 1796 and 1814. Napoleon established client states in Italy and disseminated views of freedom and nationalism. He used to go to the extent of establishing a Kingdom of Italy in the north. However, it all changed following his defeat in 1815, leading to the Congress of Vienna returning everything to the way it was before that. Austria occupied Lombardy-Venetia and had an impact on other states. This triggered underground groups such as the Carbonari, who desired freedom and togetherness. In the 1820s and 1830s, revolts were not a success, but they created a following for a united Italy.
The Major Personalities of the Risorgimento
The movement of unification had numerous significant individuals. They belonged to various backgrounds, but they had the aim of having a free Italy.
The following are the key characters:
- Giuseppe Mazzini. An Italian philosopher and a leader of Young Italy. He desired a republic and he influenced several people with his works about nationalism.
- Camillo di Cavour. Prime Minister of Sardinia-Piedmont. He made intelligent diplomacy and formed alliances to drive towards unity.
- Giuseppe Garibaldi. An Italian general who was a hero of two world,s as his name suggests. He commanded volunteer warriors in major battles.
- Victor Emmanuel II. Sardinian-Piedmont King. He was the first united Italy king and represented the role of the monarch.
These leaders did not operate in the same manner. Mazzini was idea-oriented, Cavour politically oriented and Garibaldi action-oriented. Their efforts worked together to achieve unification.
The Path to Unification
The path to unity was not short and it was accompanied with wars, uprisings and bargains. It was done in phases during a period of around 50 years.
The Early Revolts and Revolutions of 1848
The revolts that took place in the 1820s in such countries as Naples and Piedmont were unsuccessful as Austria intervened. Mazzini began Young Italy in 1831 to propagate republican ideas. There were other revolts in 1831 and 1844 but they were suppressed.
The big turning point came in 1848. Revolutions erupted in Europe including Italy. Fighting in Milan, people battled against the Austrians in Five Days of Milan. Other states such as Sicily became independent. King Charles Albert declared war on Austria in the First Italian War of Independence on Sardinia-Piedmont. However, the effort was terminated by defeat at Custoza and Novara. A Roman Republic was established and was captured by the French forces. That is what happened during these events and demonstrated the necessity of better planning and allies.
The part of Sardinia-Piedmont
Sardinia-Piedmont took over the lead of unification after 1848. Cavour transformed its economy into a modern economy through railways, banks and free trade. He entered Sardinia into the Crimean War in 1855 to win the support of such powers as France and Britain. In 1858, Cavour faced Napoleon III of France and set plans of battling Austria.
The second war of independence in Italy commenced in 1859. At Magenta and Solferino, French and Piedmontese armies had triumphed. Austria ceded Lombardy, and further conquests were checked by an armistice. Principal states such as the Tuscany were incorporated in Piedmont by votes. France, in its turn, received Nice and Savoy.
The Expedition of Garibaldi and the Making of the Kingdom
The Thousand Expedition was led by Garibaldi in 1860. The red-shirted volunteers arrived in Sicily and quickly took Palermo. They seized Naples on land. Victor Emmanuel won the south from Garibaldi at Teano. Central regions joined.
Italian Kingdom was founded at Turin on March 17, 1861. King Victor Emmanuel II. Except for Venetia and Rome, this united most of Italy.
Filling in Unification: Venetia and Rome
Italy joined Prussia against Austria in 1866, in the Third Italian War of Independence. The defeat of Italy at Custoza was compensated by the triumph of Prussia over Venetia.
Rome was the last piece. It remained under the Pope with protection of the French troops. France withdrew in 1870, in the Franco-Prussian War. On September 20 Italian troops entered Rome. Annexation was voted and Rome made its capital in 1871.
Immediate Consequences
Italy was experiencing great changes immediately after unification. It turned into a constitutional monarchy politically, and the law thereof was called Statuto Albertino. However, the new government was based on the north without factoring the southern needs. This gave rise to uprisings known as brigandage in the south between 1861-1870. Peasants and ancient masters resisted and the army ruthlessly suppressed them.
The north developed economically in terms of industry and trade. But the south suffered. Free trade played against its sheltered markets leading to loss of jobs and poverty. There were no land reforms in favor of poor farmers. On the social front, a lot of individuals immigrated to foreign countries in order to get out. The Southern Question turned into a large scale issue, indicating the gap between the wealthy North and the poor South.
Italians were united culturally and this encouraged a common Italian identity. The language was standardized in part by the work of such writers as Alessandro Manzoni. The national anthem and the tricolor flag became a symbol. However, the Pope could not accept the loss of Rome and developed the so-called Roman Question until 1929.
Long-Term Impacts
Unification influenced contemporary Italy. Italy became Europe’s fifth most populated nation by the late 1800s. Problems persisted. The south’s economic problems and corruption stemmed from the north-south divide.
Key long-term effects:
- Political instability. Unfinished unification emotions led to frequent government transitions and Fascism in the 1920s.
- Irredentism. Desire for Trieste and Trentino pushed Italy into WWI.
- Emigration. Millions emigrated to America and other, taking skill but sending money home.
- Cultural unity. Schools and media promote Italian, decreasing dialects.
- Regional tensions. Disagreements over autonomy led to separate areas in the 1948 Constitution.
Pride and identity disputes followed unification. Historians claim it was “made” but Italians needed to join.
Contributing author to Weird Italy, , a site focused on exploring the distinctive and unconventional facets of Italian culture, history, and modern life.