What Were The Main Stages Of Unification Of Italy What Were The Main Problems
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Answer:
The following are the process of unification of Italy :
i) POLITICAL FRAGMENTATION : Like Germany, Italy was also politically fragmented into 7 states out of which only 1 state i.e. the Sardinia Piedmont was ruled by the Italian princely house.
These states were scattered over different kingdoms including the Austria-Hungary Empire.
The northern part was ruled by the Austria-Hungary empire, the central part was ruled by the Pope and the southern part was ruled by Spanish forces i.e. the Bourbon dynasty.
Even the Italian language had not acquired one common form and still had many regional and local variations.
ii) ROLE OF MAZZINI : During the 1830s, Giuseppe Mazzini had sought to put together a coherent programs for a unitary Italian Republic. He had also formed a secret society called Young Italy for achieving his goals.
iii) ROLE OF COUNT CAVOUR : He who led the movement to unify the regions of Italy was neither a revolutionary nor a democrat. In 1848 , he was elected as the Chief Minister of Sardinia Piedmont. And in 1852 , he was elected its Prime Minister. This opened a new chapter in unification of the Italy. He formed a tactful diplomatic alliance with France, which succeeded Sardinia Piedmont in defeating Austrian forces in 1859. This win led him gain back the territories of Lombardy and Venetia,which were occupied by the Austria-Hungary empire. These territories made the northern part Italy.
iv) ROLE OF GIUSEPPE GARIBALDI:
Giuseppe Garibaldi also formed armed volunteers. Apart from regular troops, a large number of armed volunteers under the leadership of Giuseppe Garibaldi joined the fray. In 1860, they marched into South Italy and the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies in the red t-shirts (symbolising freedom) and succeeded in winning the support of the local peasants in order to drive out the Spanish forces.
Thus southern part of Italy was also gained back.
v) ROLE OF LEADERS :
Unitary Italian Republic was established due the revolutions led by the leaders like Giuseppe Mazzini during 1830s , Giuseppe Garibaldi and Count Camillo de Cavour.
Though the revolutionary uprisings of 1831 and 1848 failed to unite Italy. In the eyes of the ruling elites of this region, a unified Italy offered them the possibility of economic development and political dominance.
vi) MOVEMENTS OF ITALIAN STATE :
And important role was played by the Italian state of Sardinia Piedmont. The movement led by Count Camillo de Cavour, the Chief Minister to unite the different states, gained back the northern parts of Italy i.e. Lombady and Venetia fl, that was occupied by the Austrian forces. The regions conquered by Giuseppe Garibaldi and his Red Shirts joined with the northern regions to form a united Italy.
vii) The Italian nation was recognised in 1861 and in 1870 , the Papal states joined in.
In 1861, Victor Emmanuel II was proclaimed as the King of United Italy.
These are the processes which led to the unification of Italy.