Unifying ItalyUnifying Italy

BackgroundBackground

For centuries leading up to the 19For centuries leading up to the 19thth century, Italians had considered century, Italians had considered themselves not to be Italian, but to be themselves not to be Italian, but to be Venetian or Neopolitan, etc.Venetian or Neopolitan, etc.

However, Napoleon’s invasions had However, Napoleon’s invasions had sparked dreams of national unity.sparked dreams of national unity.

The Congress of Vienna ignored the The Congress of Vienna ignored the desire for Italy to be united.desire for Italy to be united.

Italians Unite!!!Italians Unite!!!

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

Cavour’s Desire for one ItalyCavour’s Desire for one Italy

Count Camillo Cavour was the prime minister of Count Camillo Cavour was the prime minister of Sardinia (North) appointed in 1852.Sardinia (North) appointed in 1852.He believed in Realpolitik.He believed in Realpolitik.Short-term goals included improving agriculture, Short-term goals included improving agriculture, building railroads, and supporting free trade.building railroads, and supporting free trade.His long-term goal was to get rid of the Austrian His long-term goal was to get rid of the Austrian control and add Lombardy and Venetia to control and add Lombardy and Venetia to Sardinia.Sardinia.Cavour entered into a secret deal with Napoleon Cavour entered into a secret deal with Napoleon III to support him in a war against Austria, III to support him in a war against Austria, allowing several Italian city-states to become allowing several Italian city-states to become Sardinian.Sardinian.

Garibaldi’s Desire for one ItalyGaribaldi’s Desire for one Italy

Revolutionary leader in the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies Revolutionary leader in the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies (South).(South).He recruited 1000+ volunteer “red shirts” to unite Italy.He recruited 1000+ volunteer “red shirts” to unite Italy.He led his army of Red Shirts to Sicily and won control.He led his army of Red Shirts to Sicily and won control.Cavour was threatened by Garibaldi and sent troops to Cavour was threatened by Garibaldi and sent troops to intervene.intervene.In a patriotic move, Garibaldi gave up control of his new In a patriotic move, Garibaldi gave up control of his new territory to further unite Italy.territory to further unite Italy.Victor Emmanuel (Sardinia) was crowned king of Italy.Victor Emmanuel (Sardinia) was crowned king of Italy.By 1870, all remaining city-states had been added to By 1870, all remaining city-states had been added to Italy. (Including Catholic Rome).Italy. (Including Catholic Rome).

Trials of the New NationTrials of the New Nation

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