The Unification of Italy Part 1

1. The Unification of ItalyPart 1 Mazzini and Garibaldi

2. Italy before Unification • Italy never existed as one country. • It was a group of small city states or kingdoms that was linked together only by language and culture. • However, since Nationalism hit Italy, (again we see the influence of Napoleon) Italians began to feel like they should be together in one strong united country. • Parts of Italy were constantly invaded and/or occupied by foreign powers • In Northern Italy, for example, French, Germanic and Slavic linguistic and cultural influences can be seen • In Southern Italy, there is the vast influence of the Catholic Church. • The Papal States literally cut the country in half • Also, the church owned approx. 60% of the land in the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies • During the 19th Century, the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies was controlled by the Bourbons, the French Royal Family • Vast poverty in Southern Italy

5. The 3 Wise Men The Story of Italian Unification (in Italian the “Risorgimento”)can be best understood through the lives and accomplishments of 3 men

6. The Soul of Italian Unification Giuseppe Mazzini

7. Mazzini • Mazzini was a famous Italian Nationalist Writer. • He believed that all Italians should be joined together and that Italy could be a great and powerful country. • He also believed that a strong Italian government could use liberal ideas to improve the conditions of the poor throughout the land. • Mazzini’s works inspired the revolutions of 1848 and he was a hero of the Nationalist movement.

8. Quotes from Mazzini • A Country is not a mere territory; the particular territory is only its foundation. The Country is the idea which rises upon that foundation; it is the sentiment of love, the sense of fellowship which binds together all the sons of that territory. • Slumber not in the tents of your fathers. The world is advancing. • So long as you are ready to die for humanity, the life of your country is immortal. • The theory of rights enables us to rise and overthrow obstacles, but not to found a strong and lasting accord between all the elements which compose the nation. • God has given you your country as cradle, and humanity as mother; you cannot rightly love your brethren of the cradle if you love not the common mother.

9. The Sword of Italian Unification Giuseppe Garibaldi

10. Garibaldi: The Early Years • Garibaldi was born in Nice, which was French, but given back to the Italians after the congress of Vienna • Garibaldi was, as a young man, passionate about building the Nation of Italy • He was enthralled by the works of Mazzini • He eventually joins “Young Italy,” a secret society dedicated to destroying Austrian rule in Northern Italy • He joins the Carbonari Revolutionary Association and takes part in a rebellion against the King of Piedmont in 1834 • It fails and Garibaldi flees the country • He is sentenced to death in absentia

11. To South America • Eventually Garibaldi finds his way to Brazil • There he met his future wife, Anita, and they fought together alongside “Gaucho” rebels to separate from Brazil and form a new, democratic country • This is where Garibaldi developed his “look” . . . Red Shirt, Poncho and Sombrero . . . And his horse riding skills. • Garibaldi and Anita, then travel to Uruguay and took part in their civil war • He raised an Italian Legion and fought many victorious battles against numerically superior opponents • However, through it all, he never forgot his homeland and wished to someday return to liberate Italy • In all his battles, his soldiers wore the trademark “red shirts” and they carried with them a black flag with a volcano in the middle • Black representing mourning for Italy • The Volcano representing the dormant power of the Unified Italian people • In 1848, much of Italy revolts and Mazzini, the now skilled warrior, returns home

12. 1848 • Garibaldi went to Milan and fought with their revolutionary government against Austrian Rule • However, after a major Austrian victory, the cause was lost • Garibaldi then went to Rome, where revolutionaries had declared a republic in the Papal States • Garibaldi fought several battles and defeated numerically superior French forces • However, the French sent a massive amount of reinforcements to defend the Pope • Garbaldi was forced to retreat • His wife died and he was forced to leave the country again • He travelled to the USA and lived in New York • There he worked in a candle factory and a merchant ship captain

13. Back to Italy and the March of the 1000 • Garibaldi returned to Italy and aligned himself with King Victor Emmanuel of Piedmont in his war against Austria • He was impressed with this king and realized that a strong leader was needed to unify Italy • He was promoted to General and won many victories • The war was won and Garibaldi became a national hero • However, he would not be satisfied until all Italy was free • In 1860, during popular uprisings, he took 1000 of his Red Shirts and invaded the kingdom of Sicily • As, he marched through, local peasants and rebels joined • With just this small force, he managed to defeat the entire army of the Kingdom • He proclaimed himself dictator in the name of King Victor Emmanuel . . . He hoped to unify his new conquest under the leadership of a king that he trusted

15. The March on Rome • Garibaldi wanted to continue and took his Army north, into the Papal States • However, he was blocked from doing so by the Army of Piedmont • King Victor Emmanuel did not want to risk war with France • Victor Emmanuel himself travelled south to meet with Garibaldi • The two men met of a bridge to discuss the future of the country • Victor was desperate to stop here and receive the gift of southern Italy • Garibaldi was desperate to unify all Italians, get rid of the horrible influence of the catholic church in Italy and now was beginning to distrust Emmanuel • The result of this meeting . . . Next time!