what was the contribution of garibaldi to the unification of Italy?3 mark class 10 questions
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Italy, before its unification, was divided into seven states. While northern states were under the Hapsburg dynasty of Austria, central states were under the control of the Pope. Southern states were ruled by the Bourbon dynasty of Spain. Giuseppe Garibaldi has been one of the most celebrated of all Italian freedom fighters. Sailor by profession, he joined the secret society, ‘Young Italy’. He supported King Victor Emmanuel II in his efforts to unify the Italian states. He organised an army to achieve the unification of Italy. People joined his army in large numbers and came to be known as ‘Red Shirts’.
By the end of 1860, he along with his army had conquered the states of Sicily and Naples which further paved the way for the unification of Italy.
Garibaldi fought for Italian unity and almost single-handedly united northern and southern Italy. He led a volunteer army of guerrilla soldiers to capture Lombardy for Piedmont and later conquered Sicily and Naples, giving southern Italy to King Victor Emmanuel II of Piedmont, who established the Kingdom of Italy.