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Question

Describe the process of Unification of Italy.


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Solution

In 1861, Victor Emmanuel II was proclaimed king of united Italy.

Before Unification of Italy

  • Italy faced political fragmentation over its long history.
  • There was the multinational Habsburg Empire and several dynastic states scattered all over.
  • Italy was divided into seven states over the middle of the 19th century.
  • Out of seven states only one state was ruled by Italian princely house i.e. Sardinia-Piedmont.
  • Centre was ruled by the Pope, Austrian Hasburgs controlled the North, and the Bourbon kings of Spain dominated the Southern regions.
  • Italian language also had many local and regional variations.

Unification of Italy

  • Giuseppe Mazzini wanted to put a programme to unify Italy in the 1830’s. To spread his goals a secret society called Young Italy was formed.
  • The responsibility of unifying Italy through war fell on the ruler King Victor Emmanuel II of Sardinia-Piedmont, after the failure of revolutionary uprising in 1831 and 1848.
  • The ruling elite thought that they would get political dominance and economic development after unification of Italy.
  • The Austrian forces were defeated in 1859 by Sardinia-Piedmont, after a diplomatic alliance was made with the French, by Chief Minister Cavour.
  • In order to drive out the Spanish rulers from the Southern regions of Italy, in 1860, a large number of armed volunteers under Garibaldi marched into the Kingdom of two Sicilies and South Italy. They won the support of Peasants.
  • Hence in 1861, Italy had a new king, Victor Emmanuel II.

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