The Unification of Italy

1. The Unification of Italy

2. Background • From 1100s to 1800s central Europe was made up of numerous kingdoms, principalities, and free cities • A small group of dedicated Italians and Germans worked to unify these territories into nations • They were inspired by the success of the American Revolution and the experience of the Napoleonic Wars

3. Role of Napoleon in Development of Italian Nationalism • Italian Peninsula had not been unified since fall of Roman Empire • Most spoke same language, but peninsula divided into competing states, each with own government • Napoleon invaded Italy • United many states under one government • Unification did not last • After Napoleon’s defeat, Congress of Vienna split Italian states • Spirit of nationalism began to rise through Europe

4. Napoleon conquered the Italian peninsula and created the puppet Kingdom of Italy in 1797. Napoleon combined the smaller Italian city-states into larger units to make his rule more efficient. Opposition to him as a foreign ruler stimulated Italian nationalism.

6. Background • Inspired by NATIONALISM • The desire for national independence • One of the most powerful forces in Europe during the 1800s • In 1815 the modern nation of Italy did not exist • The Italian Peninsula was divided into a number of independent states with foreign rulers

7. After Congress of Vienna • Austrian Prince Metternich wanted Congress of Vienna to maintain old Europe, old relationships • 15 years after Congress, old order destroyed beyond repair • 1800s, nationalism a growing force in Europe, fostered by decisions made at Congress of Vienna

8. Impact of Congress of Vienna’s Decisions • National Groups Ignored • Congress had ignored national groups, placing them under control of large empires; some empires included different ethnic groups • Italians split into three groups—much of northern Italy under Austrian rule, other states under Hapsburgs, still others under a French ruler • Italian nationalism grew in opposition to these conditions

9. The Congress of Vienna (1815) restored the Italian city-states with their pre-Napoleon reactionary governments. Austria gained control of Lombardy and Venezia and dominated many of the smaller states. The Bourbon dynasty was returned to rule in Naples. The Congress of Vienna established a system, the Concert of Europe, to stop the growth of revolutionary nationalism set in motion by the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars.

10. Background • Congress of Vienna • Restoration of the pre-Napoleonic patchwork of independent governments • Groups in several Italian states began to push the idea of a unified Italian state again • The struggle for Italian unification was perceived to be waged primarily against the Austrian Empire and the Habsburgs • they directly controlled the predominantly Italian-speaking northeastern part of present day Italy and were the single most powerful force against unification • the Austrian Empire fought hard against nationalist sentiment growing on the Italian peninsula • Metternich stated that the word Italy was "purely a geographic expression."

11. Background • Pope opposed to Italian unification • Wanted some measure of autonomy over the Papal States • Different groups could not agree on what form a unified state would take • Vincenzo Gioberti suggested a confederation of Italian states under the Pope. • Many leading revolutionaries wanted a republic • Eventually it was a king and his minister who had the power to unite the Italian states as a monarchy

12. Italian Unification The Italian tricolor was first established during the Napoleonic Wars by French republics in northern Italy , who styled it after the French tricolor. In 1848 the design was adopted which went on to lead the Italian unification. The present flag was adopted in 1946, when Italy became a republic. Hope--- Faith---- Charity

14. Divisions in Italy • Political Divisions • French Bourbon monarch ruled the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies • Austria controlled Lombardy and Venetia • Pope controlled the Papal States • Cultural and Economic Divisions • Spoke different dialects of the Italian Language • Trade barriers and poor transportation discouraged the flow of goods and people • The name given to the movement for Italian unity was Risorgimento • Meant ‘resurgence’ or ‘revival’

15. Nationalistic Secret Societies Formed In Italy • Italian artists, writers, thinkers became interested in celebrating Italy’s cultural traditions • Others formed secret societies to work for political change, plotted to overthrow Austrian government in Italy • Focused on RISORGIMENTO

16. The "Risorgimento" (national unification) movement grew in strength after 1815 in reaction to the Vienna settlement.  There was a great deal of dissatisfaction with the re-establishment of many of the old monarchies. The new growing sense of Italian nationalism considered the Habsburgs and Bourbons as foreigners.

17. The "Carbonari" (carbon burners), a nationalist society operating in secret, encouraged the growth of nationalism. The Carbonari were liberals promoting the establishment of constitutional monarchies in the Italian states and were angry at the Vienna settlement. They began to lead nationalist revolts beginning in 1820. The Austrian army crushed these revolts as the Austrian Foreign Minister Klemens von Metternich declared, "Italy is merely a geographical expression." The Carbonari

18. Early Moves • Carbonari (coal-burners) • a secret organization formed in southern Italy early in the 19th century • Inspired by the principles of the French revolution, its members were mainly drawn from the middle class and intellectuals • Carbonari spread into the Papal States, the kingdom of Sardinia, the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, the Duchy of Modena and the kingdom of Lombardy-Venetia • Many rulers decreed the death penalty for anyone who attended a Carbonari meeting • Most leaders of the unification movement were members of this organization

19. Mazzini and Young Italy • 1831, popular writer, Giuseppe Mazzini, launched nationalist group called Young Italy to fight for unification of Italian states • Mazzini had been exiled but smuggled patriotic pamphlets into Italy • Young Italy attracted tens of thousands of Italians to cause of unification

20. Giuseppe Mazzini

21. Italian Unification • Giuseppe Mazzini, an Italian patriot spearheaded a national revolutionary movement.  • Mazzini's ideology of an independent integrated republic spread quickly among large segments of the Italian people.  • Revolutionary cells formed throughout the Italian peninsula.   • A patriotic writer who attacks the Papal States. • Creates a republic, then has to flee country because French come to the rescue of Pope Pius IX

22. "The republic, as I at least understand it, means association, of which liberty is only an element, a necessary antecedent. It means association, a new philosophy of life, a divine Ideal that shall move the world, the only means of regeneration vouchsafed to the human race." Giuseppe Mazzini

23. Giuseppe Mazzini • A member of the Carbonari • Activity in revolutionary movements got him in trouble • Organized La giovine Italia (Young Italy) • A political society • its basic principle was the union of the several states and kingdoms of the peninsula into a single republic • Believed that Italian unification could only be achieved through a popular uprising • His importance was more ideological than practical • Credited with fashioning the political idea that Italy was a country more than a patchwork of antiquated Roman city-states • It would be others who would make this idea a reality though • Never accepted a monarchical united Italy and continued to work for a democratic republic

24. Giuseppe Mazzini • Bold and active leader in fight for Italian independence • Most effective speaker • Founded a secret society called Young Italy in 1831 • Goal : to transform Italy into an independent sovereign nation.

25. Giuseppe Mazzini • Believed the nation-state was very important • Nation-state : a political organization consisting of one nationality rather than several nationalities • Through the nation state people could be unified in one country with common ideals • This country could best contribute their efforts to the well-being of all its citizens

26. Giuseppe Mazzini – “The Heart” • Grassroots unification • Italian Risorgimento

27. What were Mazzini’s aims? Wanted democratic independent Italian Republic Encouraged people to see themselves as part of a nation Had concept of ‘Third Rome’ – a civilising influence on the world

28. Nationalism • "A country is not merely a geographic territory.... A country is the sense of love which unites as one all the sons and daughters of that geographic territory. So long as a single person amongst you has no vote to represent him in the development of the national life; so long as there is one person left to vegetate in ignorance while others are educated; so long as a single person that is able and willing to work languishes in poverty through lack of a job, you have no country in the sense in which a country ought to exist. The right to vote, education, and employment are the three main pillars of a nation. The life of your country will be immortal so long as you are ready to die for your fellow men and women. “ • From Giuseppe Mazzini: A Memoir by E. A. Venturi.

29. What were Mazzini’s methods? ‘Education and revolution’ Sought support from young educated middle class Constitutional monarchies seen as stop-gap only Italian people to drive the Austrians out Hoped that publicity and propaganda would create revolutionary class

30. How big an impact did Mazzini have on the Unification of Italy? • Gave encouragement to Italian patriotism • Presented new view of Italy • Inspired Garibaldi to join movement • Helped to win international publicity for Italian freedom. Defence of Rome in 1849 was heroic failure • By his actions put pressure on Cavour and others to act more positively

31. How successful was Mazzini? • Had little practical experience • Overestimated level of support – ignored problems of the peasants • Support was limited – used Carbonari methods • All his plots failed! • Some middle class alienated by his revolutionary stance • Made no attempt to win support from peasants and town workers

32. 1830 • Rrevolutionary sentiment in favor of a unified Italy began to grow • Insurrections took place throughout the Papal States • Chose the tri-color as their flag • Insurrected provinces planned to unite as the Province Italiane unite • Pope Gregory XVI asked for Austrian help against the rebels • Spring of 1831 • Austrian army began its march across the Italian peninsula • crushed resistance in each province that had revolted

33. The election of the supposedly liberal Pope Pius IX in 1846 raised hopes for Papal support for unification. The "Neo-Guelfs", led by individuals such as VincenzoGioberti,favored the unification of Italy under the Pope, and Pius IX appeared to be the leader that many of the liberal monarchists hoped for.

34. 1848 • Revolutions all over Italy • Results • Only successful revolt was in Sardinia • Rulers forced to grant new constitution; Sardinia remained independent • One of most important leaders of Italian unification emerged, Camillodi Cavour • Founded nationalist newspaper, Il Risorgimento—“resurgence” or “rebirth”

35. 1848 Revolutions inItaly • 1848, nationalist-inspired revolutions spread throughout Europe • In some Italian states, citizens rebelled against Austrian rule • Piedmont declared war against Austria, fought for year, was defeated • Others seized Rome, 1849; French troops helped pope regain control

36. Early Attempts • January 1848 – Mazzini inspired nationalists led a republican revolution in Sicily • Some weeks later larger revolutions were staged in France and Austria • This sparked uprisings throughout the Italian Peninsula • Fighting began against Austrian forces • King Charles Albert of the Kingdom of Sardinia joined the war to expel the foreigners

37. The Orsini Bomb Plot! • In January 1848 Felice Orsini attempted to assassinate Napoleon III • Hoped that this would aid Italian unity • Did spur Napoleon III into action • Agreement made via Compact of Plombieres

38. Early Attempts • April 1848 – Italian forces had almost succeeded in driving the Austrians from the peninsula • Pope Pius IX said he opposed the war and suddenly withdrew his troops • Naples followed the Pope and withdrew their forces as well • This withdrawal enabled Austria to defeat the army of Charles Albert • Austria reestablished its control over Lombardy and Venetia

39. Napoleon III and Italian Unity • Former member of the Carbonari • His troops had crushed Roman Republic in 1849 • Had his own reasons for aiding Piedmont • Probably favoured federation headed by Pope

40. The Revolution of 1848-49 brought a brief hope for the unification movement. Piedmont-Sardinia emerged as the leader as its native Italian (Savoy) monarchy granted a more liberal constitution. Brief successes by liberals attempting to establish republican governments were followed by defeats. Republics with liberal constitutions were established in Rome by Mazzini and Giuseppe Garibaldi and also in Venice by Daniele Manin. Liberal leader of Sicily and Tuscany. Constitutions were also granted in the principalities

41. Early Attempts • The Pope’s withdrawal infuriated Italian nationalists • November 1848 – Angry mobs forced the pope to flee the city • Nationalists proclaimed Rome a republic • They summoned Mazzini to the capital as the head of the government

42. Pope Pius IX condemned the liberal-national unification movement after being ousted from Rome and the rule of the Papal States. Austria and France, the two major Catholic powers, also opposed the revolts. Austrian troops invaded Lombardy and Venezia restoring Austrian rule. The Roman Republic was defeated and the Pope was restored to full power when French troops were sent in by Louis Napoleon Bonaparte, the newly-elected President of the French Republic. The need for Great Power support and outside military aid for the nationalist movement was apparent.

43. Early Attempts • The expulsion of the Pope aroused the Catholic governments of Naples, Spain, and France • Louis-Napoleon sent a French army to Rome • His troops occupied the city and restored the pope to power • The events of 1848 caused many to lose faith in Mazzini’s revolutionary methods

44. Early Attempts • The Italian people became more conservative and turned to Charles Albert • Charles Albert earned their respect with is brave stand against the Austrians • Nationalists now looked to Sardinia to lead the struggle for Italian unification

45. King Victor Emmanuel II, House of Savoy • Only native Italian monarch in Italy

46. Victor Emmanuel II

47. Victor Emmanuel II • Became king of Sardinia-Piedmont in 1849 • father abdicated after an overwhelming military defeat by the Austrians • Victor Emmanuel was immediately able to obtain a rather favorable armistice at Vignale by the Austrian commander • In 1849 he also fiercely suppressed the revolt in Genoa, defining the rebels as a "vile and infected race of cowards • In 1852 Victor Emmanuel II gave Count Camillodi Cavour the title of Prime Minister • Victor Emmanuel II soon became the symbol of the Italian Risorgimento

48. Count Camillo di Cavour

49. Kingdom of Sardinia • 1852, Cavour became prime minister of independent Kingdom of Sardinia • Believed thriving economy important for Italy to be reborn • Economy • Cavour worked to build Sardinian economy • Believed Italy should be reborn as monarchy • Ally • Cavour in position to cultivate powerful ally • Supported France in war with Russia; gave France provinces of Savoy, Nice • France agreed to support Sardinia in war against Austria • 1860, northern Italian states liberated from control of Austrian Empire

50. Camillo di Cavour – “The Brain” • Prime Minister of Sardinia • A liberal – wanted to make Sardinia a model of progress, efficiency, and fair government for others to admire • Tried to improve the economy