what was the role of the Austria in. unification of Italy and Germany
Answers
Answer:
The Congress of Vienna re-established Austrian control of the Italian Peninsula in 1815. The kingdom of Naples (ruled by the Bourbon monarchy) was dependent on Austria, the duchies of Tuscany, Modena, and Parma were ruled by the Hapsburg Family as well. Austria also directly controlled Venetia and Lombardy.
Secret societies began to emerge after the Congress of Vienna in Italy with the Carbonari among the most prominent- they were devoted to italian nationalism and pursued the unification of Italy. These secret societies prompted rebellion and a revolt broke out in Sicily in 1820 forcing those in power to grant a constitution. Yet the intervention of the Austrian Army crushed the revolt. More revolts broke out across the italian states but were again met by the same result by using the Austrian military to suppress any nationalistic ideals and prevent the unification of Italy.
Defining Nationalism
Nationalism is acquitted to "a sense of belonging to and loyalty towards one's nation coupled with the desire to be politically united and independent." The people that make up a nation generally share a common language or means of communication, as well as a common history, religion, and/or culture.
What were the motivations?
Austria was un-strategically located between two equal forces- Germany and Italy whom of which posed a threat to the Austrian Empire and its dwindling supporters. In an effort to preserve its power and protect its interests, Austria assumed total control of the German Confederation and the Italian Peninsula.
German Confederation
Austrian Empire
During Napoleon's campaign for power Germany had undergone a dramatic change. The Confederation of the Rhine which was comprised of more than 300 states was reduced to 39 larger states known to be as the German Confederation. The Congress of Vienna left the German states largely disunited. Keeping the German states divided made then easier for Austria to control. A divided Germany meant that the people could not be united under one nation state- hindering any prospects of unification.
Italian Peninsula
By 1830 there had been nationalistic stirrings within the german states prompted Vienna to tighten its control over the territory. Metternich (Prince and Austrian Foreign Minister) passed the Six Articles followed by the Ten Articles in 1832 designed to restrict nationalistic movements within the German Confederation. The Six Articles of June 28, 1832, limited the rights of the Diets (decision makers) in constitutional states and stipulated that federal law (Austria) overruled individual state law, thus further limiting the ability of individual states to express their own political will. The Ten Articles of July 5, 1832, sought to maintain peace and legal order in the German Confederation; these articles forbade political organizations, meetings, appeals, and festivals.
The Congress Of Vienna
The Congress of Vienna in 1815 redrew the map of Europe to reinforce the principles of legitimacy and balance of power, this meant that any earlier efforts towards the nationalization of Europe were put to an end. Austria emerged victorious and gained control of both the German Confederation and much of the Italian Peninsula.
The might of the Austrian Empire prolonged the unification of Germany and Italy by keeping the two regions continuously divided. When revolts spread throughout Germany and Italy again the Austrian Empire crushed any nationalistic sentiments. The interests of the Austrian Empire differed greatly from their surrounding territories. Whereas Germany and Italy sought unification and independence, Austria saw to it that both these states would be subdued under Austrian law, by using their might, and privileges granted by the Congress of Vienna ( those of which generally outlined the "borders" of the Austrian Empire and included both the German Confederation and Italian Peninsula.