Unifying Italy

Background For centuries leading up to the 19 th century, Italians had considered themselves not to be Italian, but to be Venetian or Neopolitan, etc. However, Napoleon’s invasions had sparked dreams of national unity. The Congress of Vienna ignored the desire for Italy to be united.

Italians Unite!!! Many Italians wanted to unite in order to reduce trade barriers, build a national railroad and provide a common defense against enemies, as well as similar language and culture.

Cavour’s Desire for one Italy Count Camillo Cavour was the prime minister of Sardinia (North) appointed in He believed in Realpolitik. Short-term goals included improving agriculture, building railroads, and supporting free trade. His long-term goal was to get rid of the Austrian control and add Lombardy and Venetia to Sardinia. Cavour entered into a secret deal with Napoleon III to support him in a war against Austria, allowing several Italian city-states to become Sardinian.

Garibaldi’s Desire for one Italy Revolutionary leader in the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies (South). He recruited volunteer “red shirts” to unite Italy. He led his army of Red Shirts to Sicily and won control. Cavour was threatened by Garibaldi and sent troops to intervene. In a patriotic move, Garibaldi gave up control of his new territory to further unite Italy. Victor Emmanuel (Sardinia) was crowned king of Italy. By 1870, all remaining city-states had been added to Italy. (Including Catholic Rome).

Trials of the New Nation Regional differences between North and South Political turmoil—few had the right to vote in the new government and many were angry and threatened to rebel. Economic development and population crisis—many left for foreign lands like the US and Canada Lack of Preparation for WWI in 1914