To what extent did Garibaldi/warfare play the main role in unification of Italy by 1870? Flashcards
To what extent did Garibaldi/warfare play the main role in unification of Italy by 1870?
To what extent did Garibaldi/warfare play the main role in unification of Italy by 1870?
Garibaldi
Facts-PHASES OF G, HELPED SHORT TERM, CAUSED DIVISIONS LONG TERM
Garibaldi able to inspire mass support unlike anyone had before, taking the 1200 soldiers in his expedition of the south, which grew to 60,000 by the time he marched onto Papal States in 1860.
-Used the mafia to beat 20,000 Neapolitan soldiers in Palermo and pronounce himself governor of Sicily.
-Crossed into Naples in Aug 1860 and took control very quickly, more radical approach meant he was more successful in a much shorted period of time than Cavour because of the lack of diplomacy (plebiscites later legalised the process)
-Garibaldi’s alpine campaign such as battles won in San Fermo in may 1859 forced the Austrians to retreat to Como. He was immensely popular and able to successfully command followers against the previous biggest impediment to unification.
Garibaldi forced the pace of the geographical unification of Italy, making him the most important factor in the short term. However after that his only positive involvement was indirectly aiding annexation of Rome by keeping the pressure on it; he caused social and political problems due to his lack of consideration for diplomacy. His attempts to take Rome in 1862 and 1864 after visiting London increased resentment between radical and non-radical nationalists, and he further worsened political and social unity when he tried to take Rome in 1867, causing the French troops to turn back and occupy Rome until 1870. He fads in importance after 1860 because his methods of unifying the north and south were only applicable due to the socio-economic climate of the south
Warfare (increasing importance over period (after 1860 where Garibaldi was probably most important)
facts- 2nd war of Italian independence- Although Italy watched on as France took majority of casualties (17000 to Austrias 23000), France ceded them lombardy after Cavour was ignored from treaty of Villafranca, which shows diplomacy of italy not important in unification of north
- 1866 Austro-prussian war- Austrias downfall who was previously the biggest impediment to war, Venetia finally gained from Austria which complete unification of the north, despite their success at custozza and Lissa, Austrian forced to surrender due to bigger commitments against prussia back in Austria. France used diplomacy to give venetia to Italy.
-Unification of Rome 1870- Due to franco-prussian war Napoleon withdrew French 20,000 from Rome; final place that needed unification. MORE DIPLOMACY from PM Lanza who got approval from Spain, Austria and catholic German states to approve this annexation. Pope rejects peaceful takeover of Rome, so Italian troops cross into Papal States on 11 sept 1870, Rome falling under siege for a week before falling on 20th Sept 1870
Once again warfare was required to remove the final two barriers of unification, France and the pope. however Garibaldi had kept the pressure up on Rome which made him a more indirect asset to this unification, and DIPLOMACY came again to legitimise the whole unification by 1870.
Diplomacy (most important throughout, whilst they didn’t initiate the unification, diplomacy was used at every stage to legalise the unification of italy by 1870, or remove impediments) involved the wider powers as well
Facts- congress of Paris 1856- Cavour seated among great powers after help in Crimea, Cavour brought Italian question to forefront of European politics, initial respect/ involvement from GB/France.
- Pact of Plombieres July 1858- terms were much more in French favour but Cavour prepared to compromise in the name of unity
- National society organised plebiscites in after the war and were encouraged by GB, whilst also setting up provisional governments in the central duchies in 1859 amid popular demonstrations in Florence.
- Treaty of Villafranca- whilst Cavour was excluded, the question among great powers was still who was to control Northern Italy, Britain under Palmerston and Russel were keen to allow self determination, and their initial support here was important in developing this link, as Britain went on to help Garibaldi cross the straights on Calabria in 1860 and unify the south
- Cavours economic developments (trade deals with Britain France Belgium, French investment from Rothschild etc into mount cenis tunnel) made it easier for France to help Italy, as well as giving them invested interest in italy to defend them from Austria.
Diplomacy is Important throughout because in the short term Cavour set up Italy to have French protection and go on to remove Austrian control one state at a time. Work of Cavour alone for prolonged periods forced the pace of eventual unification. The annexation of newly gained territory is co-ordinated by warfare, and is later legalised In the form of plebiscites, showing the importance of diplomacy in combination to these other factors.
line of argument
Short term- Garibaldi most important in revitalising the complete unification of the country with his southern expedition.
Long term- Some evidence that Garibaldi endangered diplomacy by upsetting foreign and domestic powers with his radical attempts to take Romewarfare removed the 3 main impediments, firstly Austria, secondly france, and then finally the pop
Mainly responsible was diplomacy because of its sustained importance throughout by legalising complete unification of country through plebiscites, and initially Cavour getting help from foreign powers who were important throughout the period. Some credit to be given to Garibaldi for keeping the pressure on Rome
