1. 19th Century Europe

2. Italy as “Geographic Expression”

3. Opposition to Italian Unification
The Austrian empire fought Italian unification because they sought to discourage all nationalism and did not want to lose Lombardy and Venetia.
The Roman Catholic Church stood in the way of unity because they feared losing their authority to rule over the Papal states
Disagreements among Italian nationalists over Italy’s future government (republic or limited monarchy)

4. Promoting Factors Nationalist Feelings
Beginning with the Napoleonic Era, the Italians became increasingly conscious of their nationality. They recalled the past glory of Italy during the Roman Empire and the Renaissance, resented their present subjugation to Austria, and desired unity and greatness
Patriotic Societies
The Carbonari, a secret society of limited membership, conspired to establish a united Italian republic. It fomented uprisings in 1820, 1821, and 1831 – all suppressed by Austria.
Young Italy, founded in 1831 by Mazzini, was a non-secret society. It openly and successfully propagandized democratic and nationalist ideas among the people.
Leadership of Sardinia-Piedmont
House of Savoy, a patriotic Italian family, ruled Sardinia and aspired to unify Italy. In 1848 the king of Sardinia granted his people a liberal constitution and led his armies in support of an Italian uprising against Austria. The Sardinians were defeated, and Austria reestablished its control within Italy. Although unsuccessful in 1848, Sardinia-Piedmont won the loyalty of Italian nationalists.

5. Giuseppe Mazzini
Founded Young Italy, a secret society of Italian nationalists
Seized Papal States in a revolution in 1848
Preached about Italian nationalism through newspapers, pamphlets and speeches
Soul of unification

6. Giuseppe Garibaldi Military leader and friend to Mazzini
Fought in wars in Latin America
Recruited 1,000 Red Shirts and conquered the Kingdom of Two Sicilies
Known as the sword of Italian unification

7. Count Camillo Cavour Prime minister of Sardinia-Piedmont in 1852
Strengthened Sardinia by promoting industry, building railroads, improving agriculture, encouraging education, and enlarging the army
Brains of unification

8. Events of Italian Unification
Formation of Young Italy, 1830
Revolution in Rome, 1848 (failed)
Cavour joined with Britain and France in the Crimean War, 1855
War with Austria, 1859
Garibaldi conquered the Kingdom of Two Sicilies, 1860
King Victor Emmanuel becomes king of Italy, 1861

9. German Unification

10. Otto von Bismarck Becomes Chancellor of Prussia in 1862
Gave “blood and iron” speech to the Prussian parliament
Used realpolitik to achieve unity in Germany
Encouraged France to declare war by editing the Ems dispatch

11. Steps to German Unity
Napoleon’s invasion sparked German nationalism (1807 – 1812)
An economic union was formed called the Zolleverein (1830)
1848, Frankfurt Assembly offered throne to William IV of Prussia, he rejected it
1862, Otto von Bismarck becomes chancellor of Prussia

12. German Unity Cont’d 1864, War with Denmark 1866, war with Austria
1870, war with France (Franco-Prussian War)