How far did the events of 1830-49 help to create political and social unity Flashcards
Helped- factor 1- Statuto
facts- statute introduced as a constitution of Piedmont under Charles Albert, and gave political free speech and non censored political freedom in Piedmont.
-attracted 30,000 diplomats from across Italy, unifying people politically in the North
How it helped- This demonstrated to the rest of Italy that political freedom was important and possible despite Austrian influence, and gave hope to people that a constitutional monarchy could be successful, another unifying factor as people trust and support CA, and then VE. (limited by the fact that statuto only represented 2.25% of population)
Helped- factor 2- reconsideration of nationalism
Facts- the failure of Mazzini in 1848 showed that more inclusive agenda for nationalism needed to be adopted, to include the 90% peasant population, especially in the south. Mazzini converted Garibaldi to the cause, who took a more liberal and understanding approach
How it helped- people began to realise the importance of a revolution from below, but also realised that with a leader like Garibaldi, unification was possible and their hopes werent too far dismayed by the failures. As a result, the kingdom of the two sicilies were unified in 1849, a big step towards inspiring unity among the lazzaroni in the south.
Helped- factor 3- Roman Republic
Facts- Roman republic was led by Saffi, Mazzini and armellini, and lasted for 6 months in 1849.
-it had short term success in inspiring social unity as it reformed Rome with slum clearing, ending church control, abolished censorship and promising a constitution. Elections were even held, showing democratic progress.
How it helped- This was a revelation in political and social unity that Italy had never seen on this scale, especially not in the catholic dominated reactionary Papal States. It Was the beginning of a larger emphasis on progressive freedom that inspired people like Garibaldi to fight for unification, who subsequently escaped to San Marino to continue the fight. However, the revolution itself was a short term success because 20,000 French troops took over the city and another foreign power took over part of the italy, this time the heartbeat of it.
Hindered unification- factor 4- 1830 revolutions
Facts- 1830 revolutions in Modena and Parma led to Duchess Marie Louise calling on Austria to provide further support to protect the state, and when Duke Francis VI returned, he returned with the help of Austria too.
- The Papal state revolutions in Bologna were more of an attack on the church by the upper classes than anti Austrian revolt, that didnt involve the lower classes and were small local affairs, showing that people were still to considerate of themselves rather than a whole country.
How it hindered- Hindered political unity because it gave Austria further reason to stay involved across the central Duchies, who were anti unity and ready to shut down any further revolts that may arise. Long term problem. The Bologna revolutions hindered social unity as it continued the pre existing class divides between the rich and poor by excluding the poor.
Hindered unification- factor 5- 1848 revolutions
Facts- Duke Francis VI returned to Modena and Parma, instilling further anti- unification ideas that were more harsh than before
-20,000 French catholics troops defended the anti unification pope, a further barrier to political unity, and the Roman Republic further separated the catholics from the nationalists.
How it hindered- the nationalist cause had lost the support of catholics and political leaders, increasing the divides between nationalists and non nationalists and decreasing the chance of unification at this stage.
Hindered unification- Factor 6- Mazzini’s radical agenda
Facts- Mazzini was seen as too radical following his failed revolutions between 1830-1848, and his ideas were already too intellectual of the masses, increasing social divisions between upper and lower classes. He further alienated the poor south after being out of italy for 40 years and growing out of touch, making him a poor leader to lead unification.
How it hindered- his radical ideas firstly increased political divisions between his radical followers, and more liberal nationalists who believed in diplomacy to achieve unification. He lacked empathy for the poor and so he increased social divides by excluding them from his revolutions
Judgement
Overall, the events of 1830-1848 had little short term success, and overall divisions were increased both politically and socially, with the statuto being the only tangible unifying factor to come out of the events, that lasted further than 1848. Because of the nationalists approach to revolutions to gain constitutions, they lost trust by the catholics and politicians like Francis VI because of their radical ideas, increasing opposition to unity and therefore increasing political divides in the long term, as the catholics especially continued to be a barrier to unification.
