Write about the socio-political condition in Italy before its unification? or Write about the course of Unification of Italy?

 

LONG ANSWERS

1Q.  Write about the socio-political condition in Italy before its unification? Write about the course of Unification of Italy?

Ans:

Political condition of Italy before 1815

In 18^th century Italy was a part of Holy Roman Empire. Italy was divided into small parts as the glory of Holy Roman Empire diminished. Between 15 to 18^th century, Austria, France and other countries tired to establish their sway over Italian principalities. In 18^th century, Napoleon Bonaparte occupied the northern parts of Italy and established republican governments in those parts. After becoming Emperor of France, Napoleon added the kingdom of Pope to Italy. Thus the invasions of Napoleon were the reasons for the emeregence of Italian Nationalist sentiment. Unknowingly he aroused the feeling of oneness among the Italians. Napoleon introduced Napoleon Code in Italian kingdoms. Special privilages of landlords were abolished and taxes were imposed on them also. Instead of Church, State took the responsibility of educating the people. Thus Napoleons became a reason for the political and psychological oneness of Italians.

 

Vienna Pact - Italy

Politically and geographically Italy had witnessed many changes after the defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte in Battle of Waterloo. Decision was taken in Congress of Vienna to distribute the places of Italy on the basis of pre 1789 geographical shape of Italy. All the Italian provinces united by Napoleon were divided into 8 small principalities. Piedmont, Lombardy, Venitia, Parma, Modena, Tuscany, Papal States and Naples were those eight states. Based on hereditary rights many kingdoms were handed over to the descendants of last ruling dynasty. Lombardy, Venetia were given to Austria. Modena, Parma and Tuscony were given to autocratic Austrian princes. Thus Italy fell as prey to the revenge of Metternich. All the new kings of reinstated dynasties chose the path of dictatorship.

“A pile of pieces of wood is not considered as ship, in the same way now we cannot consider Italy as a nation", these words of Metternich make us clear his view about Italy. Once again Italy was divided into small kingdoms. Most of the Italian provinces were under the authority of Austria.

Autocratic Rule:

As old dynasties were restored and given power, they immediately banned constitution. All the administrative reforms introduced by Napoleon were reverted. King of Naples was a hard core regressive administrator. Furniture and other things bought by Napoleon were destructed by him. The roads layed by Napoleon and even vaccines were banned by him. King of Piedmont also a regressive ruler. He banned the gas lights introduced by Napoleon.

Italian kings tried to suppress the national sentiment rasied during the reign of Napoleon. In that process they behaved like dictators and regressive rulers. Their suppressive policy further increased national sentiment among the Italians.

Carbonari

Secret Societies were established in Italy with the aim of uniting Italy. Carbonari is important one among such secret societies. Liberating Italy from alien rule and establishing constitutional government were the aims of Carbonari. The uniqueness of Carbonari was people of all the sections trusted it and became its members. Carbonari had brances all over Europe.

1820 Revolts

In 1820 C.E. revolt took place in Spain against Ferdinand VII. On hearing the news, Italian patriots also wanted to revolt. 1^st revolt was organized in Naples. People demanded for the restoration of liberal 1812 Constitution. People of Piedmont also followed the path of revolt. Metternich, the president of Congress of Vienna, who was in favour of monarchial form of administration, was not at all happy with the changes. On war foot, he convened a meeting of allies at Lubbock.

Metternick suggested using armed force against the revolt. Althought Britain was against the use of armed force, Metternick preferred it. Austrian army suppressed the revolt first in Austria followed by Piedmont. These 2 revotls were organized by Carbonari.

Mazzini

Mazzini was one of the greatest leaders of Italy. He sacrificed his entire life for the unification of Italy. Mazzini is revered as the soul of Italy. Each and every aspect of Mazzini’s life was sacrificed for the sake of unification of Itlay.

Carbonari was the only popular secret society when Mazzini was in his early 20s. At a young age Mazzini became member of Carbonari and due to his revolutionary nature he was arrested in no time. From prison also he used to share his revolutionary ideas with his friends thorugh letters and pamphlets. After few months, he had realsied that Carbonari had no proper leadership. Mazzini wanted to unite Italy and there by establish a strong republican federal state. As he was banned from Italy for his revolutionary activities upto 40 years he visited various countries. As July revolution achieved success in France, Italians also revolted against autocratic monarchial governments. Kings of Parma, Modena, Tuscony, and Papal States were forced to leave the kingdoms abdicating the throne. With the mediation of Austria especially Metternich those kings gathered enough strength and courage to get back to their kingdoms. Following the instructions of Metternich they ruthlessly suppressed the revolts. Mazzini who participated in the revolt was banished from Italy.

Mazzini was deeply disturbed by the suppression of revolt. Mazzini who did not believe in the plans of action of Carbonari wanted to establish a more organized secret society. Mazzini established ‘Young Italy’, counting on the Italian youth. Though Italians were divided geographically the sentiment of cultural oneness brought them together. Because this cultural oneness they longed for unification of Italy.

Before 1848 C.E., there was no unity among Italian nationalists. Magelian was against both monarchy and revolution. He aspired for the establishment of republican form of government.

Roman catholics aspired for Papal Monarchy.

Before 1838 revolution in France, Kings of Italian kingdoms of Naples, Tuscony, Piedomont and Rome accepted people’s constitutions. Pope Pious IX, ruler of Rome, by 1846 C.E. had liberal political thoughts and he provided good administration to the people. After 1848 Revolution in France, the presteige of Metternich started waning. People urged the kings of various ceded kingdoms of Italy to be united to come out of the influence of Austria.

In the battle against Austria, only Charles Albert was in the battle field till the end. Remaining kings of Italy withdrew in the middle. Charles Albert was succeeded by his son Victor Immanuel II.

Mazini revolted against king in Rome and forced him to flee from Rome. The republican government formed by Mazini and his followers in Rome was suspended by Louise Napoleon in no time.

Young Italy turned the Italians into idealsists, Nationalists and patriots. The credit of developing Italians goes to Mazini.

 

 

Count Cavour

Count Cavour is one of the greatest statesmen and diplomats of 19^th century Europe. Cavour was born in 1810 C.E. in Piedmont noble family. After the completion of education, he joined as engineer in army. As Cavour had clear knowledge of contemporaty politics and confidence in constitutional republic, he could not continue for much time as engineer in army. He had some hereditary estates. Cavour managed to visit France and England to study the socio, economic and political conditions. Cavour grew interested in the parliamentary system of England.

1842 C.E. – Cavour established ‘Agrarian Association’.

1847 C.E. – Cavour started a news paper named ‘Resargimento’.

 

1. Cavour firmly believed that Unification of Italy is possible only under the leadership of Sardenia and Piedmont.

2. Liberation of Italy and its unification were the two aims of Cavour.

3. Along with the politics, Cavour concentrated on the development of socio, economic, cultural conditions, improving intellectuality and spirituality among the people.

4. Cavour wanted to bring alround development in Piedomont and thereby under its leadership he wanted to unite Italy.

5. Cavour realised that Austria was an abstacle for the development of Italy. Cavour keenly studied the problems Italians had been facing for the last 40 years. Finally he came to a conclusion that development in Italy is possible only after liberating Italy from the influence of Austria.

6. Cavour was the first person to bring the issues of Italy to the notice of international society.

7. Mazini also was with the view that unification of Italy was not possible without the help of neighbouring nations. After seeing the strength of Italian army Cavour alos came to the same conclusion.

8. Only due to the diplomacy of Cavour discussion about the solution to the problems of Italy was started.

9. Cavour realised that war was inevitable to achieve unification of Italy. To make Italy ready for war Cavour started strengthening the army of Piedmont.

Crimia War 1854-56 C.E.

When Russia and Turkey were involved in Crimia war, Cavour interfered in international politics and joined hands with England and France which were supporting Turkey. After the war, Cavour was invited by Enland to take decision about pact. Thus Cavour saw an opportunity in calamity and won the heart of developed nations.

Agreement with Napoleon III – 1858 C.E.

During Crimia war, Cavour developed friendly relations with Napoloen III, king of France. Cavour realised that Napoleon III was right person to solve the issue of Itlay. Napoleon also happily accepted to help Cavour.

Battle with Austria1859 C.E.

Austria declared war on Piedmont. France offered helping hand to Piedmont. Already Cavour completed the background work and explained the issue to European nations and stopped them from helping Austria.

Lombardy was liberated from Austria. Napoleon III did not want Italy become more powerful than France. With that thougth he withdrew his military help to Italy.

At the same time Italians revolted against monarchial form of governnements in various Italian kingdoms. Luckily Lord Pamerston, the then prime minister of England supported Italy.

North and Central Italy kingdoms conceded to join in Italy. Now Napoleon III stood as an obstable on the way to unification of Italy. As Cavour had already expected this he was ready with second plan. He offered Sevoy and Nice kingdoms to Napoleon II in return for his help. Victor Immanuel II became king of this new federation.  On 2^nd April 1860 C.E., unified Italan Parliament meeting was conducted.

On 6^th June 1861 C.E., at the age of 51, Cavour died of sever fever.

 

Giuseppe Garibaldi

Giuseppe Garibaldi was a great patriot. Giuseppe Garibaldi was born in 1807 C.E. in Nice, Italy. Giuseppe Garibaldi was an adventure lover. He 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 awared 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 battle.

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.

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.

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 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. Garibaldi’s had only few thousands army. Garibaldi did not want to step back. He guerialla warfare techniques better war strated 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 and it was providing protection to 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 in no great honor than patriotism” and left for Capera island with bag full of grains.

Capture of Venetia 1866 C.E.

By the time of Cavour’s death except Venetia and Rome remaning all parts were united in Italy. Georaphically Venetia was a part of Austria. Rome was the capital of Papal States.  Army of France had been protecting Rome since 1849 C.E. Battle took place between Prussia and Austria in 1866 C.E. On the other hand Bismark was planning for an invasion on Austria to unite Germany. To liberate Venetia from the clutches of Austria, Itlay also participated in the battle, supporting Germany. At Sedova crushing defeat was inflicted on Austria. Austria had no option but handing over Venetia to Itlay.

Capture of Rome 1870 C.E.

To avenge France proclaimed war on Germany and it withdrew army from Rome to invade on Germany. Victor Immanuel rightly used the situation and invaded on Rome and with ease he occupied it. France did not take the matter seriously as battle with Germany was more important to it. Unification of Italy was completed with the capture of Rome.