Risorgimento

The Risorgimento (meaning "Resurgence" or "Revival") was a social and political process that led to the unification of the various states of the Italian Peninsula into the single nation of Italy. This period, which primarily took place between 1815 and 1871, was marked by a series of political and military events, revolutionary movements, and wars.

Background

The Italian Peninsula in the early 19th century was fragmented into multiple states that were either directly controlled by foreign powers or heavily influenced by them. Notable among these were the Kingdom of Sardinia, the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, the Papal States, and the various duchies and principalities. The Congress of Vienna in 1815 had further solidified this division, leaving Italian nationalists and patriots dissatisfied.

Key Figures

Several key figures emerged during the Risorgimento, each playing crucial roles in the push towards unification:

• Giuseppe Mazzini - An ideologue and activist who founded the revolutionary movement Young Italy in 1831, advocating for a unified, republican Italy.
• Count Camillo Benso di Cavour - The Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Sardinia, who skillfully navigated international politics to gain support for unification.
• Giuseppe Garibaldi - A military leader whose campaigns, including the famous Expedition of the Thousand in 1860, were instrumental in conquering southern Italy and merging it with the north.

Major Events

1. The First Italian War of Independence (1848-1849) - This conflict was primarily against the Austrian Empire, which controlled large portions of Northern Italy. Despite initial successes, the war ultimately ended in defeat for the Italian forces.
2. The Second Italian War of Independence (1859) - Led by Cavour and the Kingdom of Sardinia, and supported by French forces under Napoleon III, this war resulted in the cession of Lombardy from Austria to Sardinia.
3. Expedition of the Thousand (1860) - Led by Garibaldi, this was a volunteer troop movement that resulted in the conquest of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, which was then handed over to King Victor Emmanuel II of Sardinia, paving the way for the southern part of Italy to join the unification.
4. The Annexation of Rome (1870) - The final act of unification occurred when Italian troops took over Rome, following the withdrawal of French troops. This led to Rome becoming the capital of the newly unified Italy.

Impact and Legacy

The Risorgimento not only unified Italy but also ignited a sense of national identity among Italians. It had significant cultural impacts, influencing literature, music, and art. Politically, it laid the groundwork for Italy to emerge as a significant European power.

See Also

• Italian nationalism
• History of Italy
• Unification of Germany - A contemporary unification movement in Europe