European History - Unification of Italy

2718 Words6 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Italy unification

Unification of Italy

Q: Describe & Explain the Unification of Italy.

The Unification of Italy divides in to 3 main stages: 1815-1830: Revolts all over Italy. Revolts are suppressed. 1848-1849: Revolts all over Italy. Revolts are suppressed. 1858-1870: The unification of Italy

Introduction To understand the unification of Italy, matters before the revolution need to be examined.

Up until 1716, Italy was just a big piece of land divided among small kingdoms of monarchs. (ref. H.O. #1 p.29)

When napoleon Bonaparte conquered Italy, he left them 3 things, which were probably the key characteristics in the revolution: - Efficient Government. - A practical demonstrations of the benefits from a unified Italy - Hatred towards foreign influence.

After the fall of Napoleon, the major European powers (Austria, Russia, Spain, United Kingdom, & Prussia) what was to be done with Italy, which was conquered at the time by Napoleon.

It was thus decided that Italy would be divided among different monarchs, all associated with the Habsburgs (except for Piedmont Sardinia, which was to be ruled by Victor Emmanuel, an independent monarch, and Papal States, ruled by the pope.). (ref. H.O. #1 p. 29-30)

Austria had very strong domination over Italy. It had agreements with Ferdinand, king of Kingdom of the 2 Sicilies, and helped the pope maintain his kingdom. Only Piedmont Sardinia wasn't influenced by Austria (ref. H.O. #1 p. 30).

1815 - 1830 Revolution Almost all "'Italians" hated the foreign influence of Austria on Italy.

Metternich, an Austrian prince wanted to make sure no nationalist activities were in process in Austria's territories in Italy (which was Lombardy Venetia).

He imposed repressive rule in Lombardy Venetia. German was the official language, a strong Austrian army was always present to suppress any hostile activities, an efficient system of spies reported on any nationalist activities, a strict censorship of news was present, and Italian history was banned in schools to avoid the younger generation from learning about the glorious Roman past.

Metternich caused even further resentment when he obligated Lombards to serve in Austrian army, obey Austrian rules, and pay high taxes to Austrian empire. Lombardy Venetia's situation was very bad, and nothing seemed able to be done. (ref. H.O. #1 p. 30).

The situation in Lombardy (and in other parts of Italy) led to the establishment of many secret societies dedicated to the cause of Liberalism and Nationalism the biggest and most famous of those societies was named Carbonari.

Show More
Related

  • German Unification Dbq

    1390 Words  | 3 Pages

    The North Italian states were better economically and politically than the Southern Italian states. This led to a less feeling of nationalism since the North and South were different and was one of the reasons why the early attempts in 1821, 1830 and 1848 for unification failed. A group called Carbonari was working towards unification of the Italian states. Carbonari meant the Charcoal Burners and it was a secret society. In early 19th century a Carbonari named Mazzini brought up the notion of “Young Italy”. He emphasized on the one Italian state. He soon becomes the famous Italian soldier. In 1833, Garibaldi meets Mazzini for the first time and enrolls for the Young Italy Movement. “Young Italy” movement was where Garibaldi rose up. Slowly the sense of an Italian state was coming up but still the states were lacking a leader who would lead the way to the

    Read More

  • How Did the Cold War Affect the Politics of Germany and Italy?

    1982 Words  | 4 Pages

    Ginsborg P (1990). ‘A History of Contemporary Italy: Society and Politics: 1943-1980’ Published by Penguin; Reprint edition (27 Sep 1990).

    Read More

  • Positive Effects Of Benito Mussolini's Reign In Italy

    593 Words  | 2 Pages

    The allied powers promised Italy land in exchange for joining them against the central powers during WWI. But, Italy was mostly ignored during the Treaty of Versailles and received very little land. This can be seen as one of the reasons Mussolini aligned with the Axis powers in WWII. He knew that the allies did not treated Italy fairly so he went against them in the next war. He also began invading countries in Africa such as Ethiopia so that Italy could establish itself as the rightful leading power of the Mediterranean. While the invasion of other countries may seem bad, Mussolini did it to increase the power of his own country. He fought for Italy first, proving himself a true nationalist. Another example of this can be found when Hitler came to power and it became apparent to Mussolini that Austria was threatened. He wanted Italy to have influence in Austria, so he threatened to go to war with Germany in the event of an invasion of

    Read More

  • Contribution of Italians to American Society

    344 Words  | 1 Pages

    country. The Italians did not take help or aid from anyone for any reason. They brought

    Read More

  • Brutus and Caesar: Honor and Barbarism

    739 Words  | 2 Pages

    Brutus joins a group of conspirators to help kill one of his very close friends because he thinks it will benefit Rome. Although Caesar was one of Brutus’s closest friends, he was part of the conspiracy in his demise. He didn’t do it out of selfish reason or envy like the rest of the conspirators; he did it because he truly believed that it would be the best thing for his country. “Not that I loved Caesar / Less, but that I loved Rome more” (III. ii. 21-22). Brutus said that during his speech at Caesar’s funeral. It basically says his reasoning for the all too great and powerful dictator to he killed. In...

    Read More

  • Niccolo Machiavelli - The the Man Behind The Prince

    1254 Words  | 3 Pages

    Around the turn of the 16th century, the state of Florence was in turmoil; the Medici leadership was deposed and the government was ...

    Read More

  • Italian Immigrants in America

    780 Words  | 2 Pages

    During the late 1800's Italy became one of the most overcrowded countries in Europe. Many Italians began to consider the possibility of leaving Italy to escape the new low wages and high taxes. For centuries the entire Italian peninsula was divided into quarreling states, with foreign powers often controlling several states. In this chaotic situation, the feudal system ruled above the economic system, leaving money only in the hands of a select few (Wikepedia.com, 2007).

    Read More

  • The Italian Wars

    1757 Words  | 4 Pages

    There was however some reaction against Charles’ activities. Ferdinand of Aragon decreed that since Naples was subject to the papacy, that the Popes honour had been attacked. He formed the League of Venice. His main intentions were to expel Charles and become the ruler of a united Naples, Sicily and Aragon. Charles began to withdraw to France and although he won a battle at Fornovo, his outnumbered garrisons couldn’t retain Naples.

    Read More

  • Failure of the Italian Revolutions

    777 Words  | 2 Pages

    The failure of the Italian revolutions cannot be attributed to one reason as there are a plethora of reasons which could be cited as a main cause. The main reasons which could be argued as the most important reasons for the failure of the Italian revolts are the lack of organisation within revolutionary groups, the Austrian army’s strength, the political and military inexperience of those in power, the Pope’s abandonment of the revolution, the hesitation of Charles Albert to front the campaign of unity and Bonaparte’s intervention. In 1815 Italy was not recognised as a country, Metternich, an Austrian statesman, said "The word 'Italy' is a geographical expression, a description which is useful shorthand, but has none of the political significance the efforts of the revolutionary ideologues try to put on it” which shows that Italy was not considered a country this was because it was separated into different states and each had their own rulers. The system of government was mainly autocratic which meant that just one man was in charge of the entire state and so it would be true to say that Italy was not a democratic country. The French Revolution that began in 1789 meant that countries all over Europe were under the control of Napoleon Bonaparte, Italy included until the battle of Waterloo where Napoleon was defeated. All progress that had been made in the country was reversed with the Treaty of Versailles which meant that the autocratic kings were reinstated into Naples, Sardinia-Piedmont and Sicily and the duchies of Parma, Modena and Tuscany were given back to Austrian rule. The people of Italy had tasted a better life under Napoleon’s rule and wanted change, this led to the revolts.

    Read More

  • Hamlet's Sanity In Hamlet Analysis

    1561 Words  | 4 Pages

    Shakespeare 's play "Hamlet" is about a complex protagonist, Hamlet, who faces adversity and is destined to murder the individual who killed his father. Hamlet is a character who although his actions and emotions may be one of an insane person, in the beginning of the book it is clear that Hamlet decides to fake madness in order for his plan to succeed in killing Claudius. Hamlet is sane because throughout the play he only acts crazy in front of certain people, to others he acts properly and displays proper prince like behavior who is able to cope with them without sounding crazy, and even after everything that has been going on in his life he is able to take revenge by killing his

    Read More

  • Grievous Ambitions

    862 Words  | 2 Pages

    Throughout this tragedy Brutus exhibits many character flaws. He starts off by attempting to be too honorable for the adoring people of Rome. He tries to protect him from what Caesar could potentially become, a tyrant. “Wolf but that he sees the Romans as but sheep, he were no lion, were not the Romans hinds”(903). At this point Caesar has not shown any tyrannical ambition. He has been shown to be all for the people without the venture of self gain. “Thrice did I present a kingly crown and thrice did he refuse” (951). He was slightly ambitious, but what human is not? Another flaw we discover in Brutus is that he is an easily swayed man. The truculent and virulent Cassius is able to alter his perception on life especially about his people and the ambitious Caesar. Every move this confused man makes is justified by some flawed logic. This is augmented in his idiotic choice to underestimate Antony and allow him to live. “For Antony is but a limb of Caesar let us be sacrificers not butchers Caiu...

    Read More

  • Nationalism in Europe in the 19th century

    879 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Italian Unification was a big impact on Nationalism, which was led by Benso di Cavour, which supplied most of the ideology for the movement. Benso di Cavour was also the Prince of Piedmont-Sardinia and severed as King Victor Emmanuel II. Cavour built the strength of Piedmont-Sardinia by making a strong army, an environment that was healthy, and political freedom. Cavour was all for freedom of speech, gaining Napoleon III support by promising him Sa...

    Read More

  • A Comparison Between Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini

    1420 Words  | 3 Pages

    The goals of these two leaders were also very alike because of their fascist ideas. The keystone of the fascist political system was the leader: every person and every group, every lobby, lay beneath him on the same level. The Italian and German fascist movements tr...

    Read More

  • Italy in World War II

    1092 Words  | 3 Pages

    "Il Duce", (the leader), was the name that Benito Mussolini gave himself as his rise to power in Italy continued. He led the people of Italy with the mind set and many of the same ideas that Hitler used in Germany. "… a tendency had been developing in Italy in favor of closer relations with Germany, both politically and economically." (1) Mussolini, along with Hitler, pushed towards a nation that was free of Jews, and would consist solely of the "perfect man". Mussolini’s goal was to create an ultimate Italian empire, in alliance with Hitler’s Germany. (2)

    Read More

  • Examples Of Tragedy Of Julius Caesar

    1122 Words  | 3 Pages

    Brutus’s great character and nobility can be seen in Scene 2 of Act 1, when Cassius is trying to manipulate Brutus into joining the conspiracy. Brutus shows his close relationship with Caesar when he says, “I do fear the people do choose Caesar for their king...yet I love him well.” (I.II.78-82) Brutus at first didn’t like the idea of Caesar becoming King and Brutus didn’t want to join the conspiracy because he loved Caesar very much. Although, in Act 2, Brutus is so brainwashed that he decides that he needs to stop Caesar before things get any worse when he says, “That lowliness is young ambition’s ladder, whereto the climber upward turns his face. But when he once attains the upmost round, he then unto the ladder turns his back.” (II.I.22-25) Brutus does not want Caesar to rise in power, so that then he can turn his back on the people of Rome. Brutus saw that Caesar’s ambition could destroy Rome. Brutus shows his loyalty to his country when he says, “Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more.” (III.II.21-22) Brutus cared about Julius Caesar, but he loved the people of Rome more. Brutus’ intentions were noble and his ultimate goal was to save the people of Rome. Brutus’ ethical beliefs help him make the tough choices he encounters to protect the people he most cares about. Brutus is

    Read More

More about European History - Unification of Italy

Open Document