Unifying Italy

Essential Questions and Responses

Obstacles to Italian Unity

• What were some of the early obstacles that Italian Nationalists faced before uniting?– Certain regions had greater local ties to

provinces/regions rather than to a future “Italy”– Congress of Vienna empowered monarchs and

foreign rulers (Austrian/French, etc.)

Obstacles to Italian Unity

• Why did Mazzini create “Young Italy”?– In order to create a secret society that would seek

to create one, free, independent, republican nation known as Italy

– Create a strong Nationalist group that would orchestrate unification of Italian people from different regions

Obstacles to Italian Unity

• Why did Italian Nationalists want a unified Italy?– Made sense because of geography – Would help economically, especially because it

would end trade barriers and stimulate industry– Italians shared a common language and history– To return to the glories of ancient Rome

The Struggle for Italy

• How did Camillo Cavour impact the “Risorgimento” (Italian Nationalist Movement)?– He was a crafty, liberal politician who also practiced

“realpolitik”– Reformed Sardinia’s economy, improved

agriculture, industry, and trade– Gained favor with Napoleon III, and allied with him

to oust Austrian rule in Northern Italy

The Struggle for Italy

• How did Giuseppe Garibaldi impact the “Risorgimento” (Italian Nationalist Movement)?– Longtime Italian Nationalist, recruited a military force

of 1,000 “Red Shirts”– Accepted weapons and ships from Mazzini, and led

his “Red Shirts” to take control over Sicily and Naples– Turned over control to King Victor Emanuel II to unite

northern and southern Italy

Challenges Facing the New Nation

• What divisions existed in Italy after the country unified?– The North was considerably wealthier than the

South– Regional rivalries made political decisions difficult– Hostility existed between Italy and the Roman

Catholic Church

Challenges Facing the New Nation

• How was the new Italian state constructed politically, and what problems did this pose?– Constitutional monarchy with a two-house

legislature– The King apponted members of the upper house

and had veto power over the elected, lower house. This gave the monarchy the power

– Radicals challenged the new Italian government for further reform, even suffrage

Challenges Facing the New Nation

• How did Italians progress economically after they formed their one, unified state?– Industries started to flourish in the north, bringing

factories, cities, and thus, urbanization– Reformers sought improved education and

working conditions– Italians were granted the right of “emigration”, or

to exit the country and leave for other countries such as the United States, Canada, etc.