MP Board · Class 10 · Social Science · History: The Rise of Nationalism in EuropeExplain the process of the unification of Italy in detail, highlighting the key figures and stages involved.

Introduction to Italian Unification\nDuring the middle of the nineteenth century, Italy was divided into seven states, of which only one, Sardinia-Piedmont, was ruled by an Italian princely house. The unification of Italy was a long and arduous process driven by several revolutionary leaders, statesmen, and military campaigns.

Role of Giuseppe Mazzini

• Early Efforts: During the 1830s, Giuseppe Mazzini sought to put together a coherent programme for a unitary Italian Republic.
• Secret Societies: He had formed the secret society called 'Young Italy' for the dissemination of his goals, but consecutive revolutionary uprisings in 1831 and 1848 failed to unite Italy.

Role of Count Cavour and Sardinia-Piedmont

• Diplomatic Alliance: The responsibility of uniting Italy fell upon Sardinia-Piedmont under its ruler King Victor Emmanuel II and Chief Minister Count Cavour.
• Strategic Diplomacy: Cavour engineered a careful diplomatic alliance with France, which helped defeat Austrian forces in 1859, thereby liberating the northern regions of Lombardy and Venetia (partially).

Role of Giuseppe Garibaldi and the Red Shirts

• Southern Campaign: Apart from regular troops, a large number of armed volunteers under the leadership of Giuseppe Garibaldi joined the fray.
• March to the South: In 1860, they marched into South Italy and the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies and succeeded in winning the support of local peasants in order to drive out the Spanish rulers.

Completion of Unification

• Final Steps: In 1861, Victor Emmanuel II was proclaimed king of united Italy. Rome was finally captured in 1870 when French troops withdrew, completing the final phase of Italian unification.