INTRO /
- Who was Garibaldi? How and when did he become involved in the Unification of Italy? – Mazzini, Young Italy, 1848 revolutions in Rome.
- His main contribution was in the third phase of Italian Unification when he set sail with his ‘thousand’ in 1860 and captured Sicily and Naples through his unrivalled guerrilla tactics despite being heavily outnumbered.
- He also forced Victor Emmanuel and Cavour to take the Papal States to prevent him from capturing Rome.
- However, he was not the only person who significantly contributed to unification; Cavour and Victor Emmanuel were also important.
- Other factors such as Piedmont’s development politically and economically to be able to lead unification and the significance of Foreign support must also be considered.
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GARIBALDI /
- Garibaldi, born in Nice in 1807 was flamboyant, brave and unrivalled at new guerrilla tactics. He provided the non-intellectual, raw fighter appeal to unification that complimented Cavour’s more educated and considered approach
- His contribution was more than significant as he inspired compassion, devotion and enthusiasm from his men that led him to great victories despite very long odds.
- Initially introduced to Italian unification by Mazzini in ‘Young Italy’, his offer of support to Charles Albert in 1848 was declined, so instead supported Mazzini in Rome and he led a gallant defence and escape from Rome after defeat in 1849.
- In relation to the unification process he was awarded a gold medal for bravery during the War against Austria in 1859.
- But his greatest significance was in 1860 when capturing Sicily, Naples and by default gaining the Papal States he forced Cavour and Victor Emmanuel into uniting the whole of Italy and not just the north and central industrial states.
- At great odds in May 1860 with his army of the ‘thousand’ facing a Sicilian army of about 20,000 men. With guns and no ammunition he spread chaos throughout the Island which was quickly captured. He proclaimed himself ‘Dictator’ of Sicily and introduced Piedmontese laws in preparation for annexation.
- In Naples despite being held up enough for Cavour and Victor Emmanuel to prevent him continuing his conquests to Rome, he captured Naples with relative ease. On meeting Cavour and VE he handed over Sicily and Naples, thus ensuring the Kingdom of Italy could be proclaimed with Victor Emmanuel as King.
- By forcing Piedmont’s hand, he ensured Cavour and VE would have to annex the Papal States to prevent him taking Rome which would have provoked the French. However, his continued pursuit of Rome in the 1860s (unsuccessfully) shows his clear intention was to capture all three states himself.
- His assault of the South meant that Unification of Italy became a possibility, as previously it is believed Cavour only wanted Piedmont expansion in the Northern and central states. Instead he was directly responsible for ‘the Kingdom of Italy’s proclamation.
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OTHER INDIVIDUALS /
- Other key figures were also significant in their contribution to Italian Unification, particularly Cavour and Victor Emmanuel.
- Cavour was instrumental in the development of Piedmont in the 1850s transforming it from an emerging Industrial state to a modern powerful state capable of leading the Unification of Italy.
- His careful diplomacy with France ensured her support in the War against Austria in 1859 and he carefully manipulated Austria into being seen as the aggressor, preventing unfavourable foreign intervention. This allowed for the acquisition of Lombardy.
- He also negotiated the handover of Nice and Savoy in order to allow plebiscites which voted to annex with Piedmont. He arguably manipulated the support of the National Society in order to achieve a favourable decision and therefore allowing the Central states to become under the control of an enlarged Piedmont.
- He finally saw the potential threat of a war against France and persuaded Victor Emmanuel to advance into the Papal States to prevent Garibaldi from taking Rome. So ultimately he was significant in expanding Piedmont in the North, central and Papal States and consolidating the gains made.
- Victor Emmanuel was also responsible for promoting Cavour and allowing the rapid development of Piedmont which led to unification.
- He also provided the link of support between the intelligent approach of Cavour and harnessing the popular support of Garibaldi. Without him it unlikely Garibaldi would have handed over Sicily and Naples and therefore allowing himself to become King of the new Kingdom of Italy.
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PIEDMONT’S DEVELOMENT /
- However, without the political and economic development within Piedmont, unification would have been unlikely. Therefore it has to be considered significant.
- The Statuto that remained after the 1848 Revolutions, had created a liberal state that political exiles were drawn towards.
- The Connubio had allowed for Cavour to become PM and allowed him to pass the Siccardi Laws to highlight the precedence of the state over the influence of the church.
- Economically, the modern Banking system, the network of Railway lines and the development of industry enabled foreign trade to double and allowed for the development of a modern army that could mobilise quickly.
- Without these developments it is unlikely Italy would have become unified under Piedmont’s control and have to be considered significant in its contribution to unification.
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FOREIGN INTERVENTION /
- Finally, without foreign intervention, especially France, Austria and Prussia it is unlikely Italy would have unified and therefore must be considered as a significant contribution.
- France and Napoleon III and the decisions made at Plombieres allowed the War against Austria to occur in 1859.
- Napoleon’s decision to conclude peace early at Villafranca led to Italy gaining Lombardy.
- Napoleon’s decision to allow the plebiscites which led to the acquisition by Piedmont of the Central states was also an important development in unification.
- Finally by accident the Franco-Prussian War in 1870 which meant the withdrawal of French troops from Rome allowed Rome to become the final conquered city and ultimately becoming Italy’s capital.
- Similarly Austria’s defeat in 1859 and the Austro-Prussian War led to the acquisition of Lombardy and finally Venetia in 1866.
- In summary, foreign intervention was crucial in the development of a united Italy and therefore its contribution must also be seen as significant.
CONCLUSION /
- Cavour and Victor Emmanuel were instrumental in the development of Piedmont into a modern and industrial state capable of expanding and creating a new united Italy.
- They were also significant in the acquisition of Lombardy and the central states and consolidating the gains made by taking the Papal States and preventing Garibaldi from taking Rome and leading to reprisals by the French.
- But Garibaldi is most significant in turning Piedmont expansion in the northern and central states into a full united Italy by heading to Sicily and Naples with his ‘thousand’.
- Finally foreign support was important in allowing Cavour and Garibaldi to succeed in creating the new Kingdom of Italy.