Austria as the Main Barrier for Italian Reunification

Austria as the Main Barrier for Italian Reunification

Austria was one of the major barriers for Italian reunification taking

place during 1815-1831. However, a number of other problems beset

Italian nationalists during this period that weakened the movement

towards Risorgimento.

In 1815, Italy like most of Europe had its borders and rulers put back

to Pre-Napoleon times. At the Vienna Conference, the Great Powers met

to discuss Europe's fate after the fall of Napoleon. Italy was put

under the influence of Austria to ensure a balance of power, and as

compensation for Austria losing the Netherlands.

If we look at a map of Italy, we can see why Austria was one of the

major barriers stopping reunification. All the seven states were

heavily influenced by Austria. Offshoots of the Royal Hapsburg family

ruled Parma, The Kingdom of Lombardy-Venetia Tuscany and Modena. The

King of Piedmont was restored by Austrian troops, as was the Pope,

reactionary policies were resumed in both these states. The Kingdom of

Two Scillies signed a defensive alliance with Austria. This network

effectively ensured Austrian domination of the Italian Penisular, as

long as this existed the Risorgimento would stay a distant dream.

Between 1815-31, Austria was led by its chancellor Prince Clemens

Metternich. He created the Metternich system; this involved the

repression of nationalism and liberalism within the sphere of Austrian

influence and the creation of a network of alliances throughout

Europe. This policy aimed to strengthen the position of the old order

against the threat of revolutionary uprisings. The secret police and

the reactionary policies of...

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...othing special about the Restored

Monarchs they were not reactionary. They tried to set up a central

administration to carry out everyday business, this created popular

opposition. However, there can be no excuse for Piedmont, The Papal

States, Modena and Naples. This view is fairer on the restored

monarchs than the accepted old view.

In conclusion, Austria was a major barrier to Italian Reunification

between 1815-31 due its far-reaching influence over the Italian

Peninsular. But the weakness of the secret societies with their

parochial views, the rise of the 'zealots', the lack of the support

from the peasants, the lack of a leader, the lack of support from any

major countries for unification and the reactionary policies of the

Restored Monarchs all combined to impede the movement to Risorgimento

during 1815-31.