What was the role played by Guesspe Garibaldi in the unification of Itlay?

 

 

5Q. What was the role played by Guesspe Garibaldi in the unification of Itlay?

 

Ans: Giuseppe Garibaldi was a great patriot. Giuseppe Garibaldi was born in 1807 C.E. in Nice, Italy. As an adventure lover, Giuseppe Garibaldi chose the profession of sailing. Due to the impact of Mazini, he became a member of ‘Young Itlay’. Giuseppe Garibaldi’s guerilla warfare expertise was famous all over Italy.

Giuseppe Garibaldi played lead role in 1834 C.E., Savoy revolt. After the suppression of the revolt Giuseppe Garibaldi was awarded death sentence. Giuseppe Garibaldi escaped from Savoy to South America and lived there for 14 years. He formed ‘Italian Legion’ in South America and participated in many battles.

In 1848 C.E. he knew about Itlaian liberation struggle and came back to Itlay. He participated in a battle against Austria. He also played key role in 1849 C.E. revolt in Rome organized by Mazini. When Italians were on the verge of defeat, Garibaldi escaped with 4,000 soldiers. Garibaldi made an unsuccessful attempt to lead a revolt in Venetia. As France and Austria were searching to kill Garibaldi, he was forced to live in forests. France and Austria searched for Garibaldi in forests also. During this time he lost his wife Anita. Finally Garibaldi fled to Southern America. With his bravery Garibaldi became inspiration to many nationalists. 

In 1854 C.E., Giuseppe Garibaldi returned to Itlay.

In 1859 C.E., he participated in Franco- Sardinia – Austria war. In this war he fought against Austria. The attitude of Napoleon III hurt him deeply.

In 1860 C.E., when people of Sicily revolted against Francis II, king of Naples, they requested him for his help. Though the king of Naples was his friend, Garibaldi preferred to support the cause of common people and enlisted army in Genova. Garibaldi’s soldiers wore red shirts. Thus his army came to be called ‘Red Shirts’.

King of Naples had a total army of 1,24,000, where as Garibaldi had only few thousands army. Garibaldi did not want to step back. His guerialla warfare techniques and better war strategies achieved him victory. Crushing defeat was inflicted on Sicily. Garibaldi became king of Sicily. After conquering Sicily, Garibaldi invaded on Naples also. On 6^th September 1860 C.E., king of Naples abdicated throne and ran away from his country.

 

Garibaldi wanted to invade on Rome too, but Cavour stopped him as France army was stationed in Rome protecting it. Count Cavour convinced Garibaldi to hand over the places won by him to Victor Immanuel. Giuseppe Garibaldi accepted his request and handed over, all the kingdoms he won, to Victor Immanuel II. He did not accept any honor by Victor Immanuel for his great sacrifice. He said “there is no great honor than patriotism” and left for Capera Island with bag full of grains.