In the 19th century, the Italian Peninsula was divided into small states, and some areas were under Austrian rule. Learn the roles of the three heroes who achieved unification: Cavour, Mazzini, and Garibaldi.
The Road to Unification—Cavour and the Kingdom of Sardinia
The main force behind Italian unification was the Kingdom of Sardinia. Prime Minister Cavour (Camillo Cavour) used “realpolitik” (Realpolitik). First, in 1859, he allied with France under Napoleon III and waged war against Austria, gaining Lombardy. He gradually unified northern Italy by combining diplomacy and military action. Meanwhile, the republican Mazzini organized a secret society called Young Italy and was a pioneer who cultivated the ideological momentum for unification over many years.
Mazzini: Founder of “Young Italy” and ideological pioneer of republicanism
Cavour: Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Sardinia; unified northern Italy through diplomacy and military action
Garibaldi: Conquered southern Italy and Sicily with the “Red Shirts” (Expedition of the Thousand)
Year of unification: 1861, establishment of the Kingdom of Italy (Victor Emmanuel II became king)
Garibaldi and Southern Italy
In 1860, the soldier Garibaldi led more than 1,000 volunteers in red shirts, known as the Red Shirts (Expedition of the Thousand), landed in Sicily, and conquered the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. After unifying southern Italy, Garibaldi made the major decision to present it to the Sardinian king, Victor Emmanuel II. In March 1861, the Kingdom of Italy was established. However, Venetia remained under Austrian rule and was incorporated in 1866, while Rome remained papal territory and was occupied and incorporated in 1870, so complete unification was delayed.
Practice
- Who led the unification of northern Italy through diplomacy as prime minister of the Kingdom of Sardinia?
- Who led the Red Shirts in conquering southern Italy and Sicily?
- In what year was the Kingdom of Italy established?