Italian Unification, 1859-1870 The Crimean War and repeated invasions/occupations led to the people of Italy wanting to be unified. Led by the kingdom of Piedmont in N. Italy. – Their king was Victor Emmanuel II. Camillo di Cavour – prime minister of Piedmont: expanded the economy and built up the army. Eventually other kingdoms of N. Italy joined with Piedmont.

Giuseppe Garibaldi – leader of Italian unification from Southern Italy. Created an army of volunteers known as the Red Shirts. He conquered all of S. Italy – in March 1861, then joined forces with Piedmont in the North. By 1870 all foreign powers were driven out of Italy and Italy became a unified state. Rome was named the Italian capital on Sept. 20, 1870.

German Unification, 1859-1870 Led by Prussia because it had a powerful military and had an authoritarian gov’t. German unification was led by Otto Von Bismarck, prime minister of Prussia. He practiced the “realpolitik” – make decisions based on practical matters rather than theory or ethics. (can be Machiavellian) Prussia invaded various countries on its borders – which further bolstered German pride.

Examples of Realpolitik: (Don’t write these) – just think about them. Otto von Bismarck: needed southern Germany to go along with German unification – so he provoked a war with France. Vladimir Putin: has built up sea, land, and air forces in Syria; has made to alliance with Syria’s Bashar al Assad – to counter American influence in the region. Hitler: Signed a peace treaty with the Soviet Union – promised not to attack them. When Germany completed its conquest of Europe, the Soviets were then invaded. USA: Columbia would not cooperate with USA in regard to building the Panama Canal; the USA then sponsored a revolution in Panama to oust Columbia. The Panamanian “rebels” then invited the USA to build the canal.

Franco-Prussian War: July 1870 - Jan. 1871 France is humiliated by Prussia – an entire French army is captured along with the French ruler, Napoleon III. Paris surrenders on Jan. 28, 1871. France had to pay Prussia 5 billion francs and give up the provinces of Alsace and Lorraine. France is humiliated and wants revenge. (remember this when WWI starts).