The political structure of the Italian peninsula prior to 1861 was that of a fragmented group of small kingdoms and principalities. There was no political cohesion while internal fighting and rivalries were hampering any progress. However, the people of the Italian peninsula, shared language, culture and a historical background. Some Italian leaders began calling for nationalism with the goal of bringing Italy together into a sovereign nation-state with autonomous rule. The Unification of Italy called Risorgimento in Italian began in a series of
The most famous of Italian nationalistic leaders were Count Camilo Cavour, Guiseppe Garibaldi, and Guiseppe Mazzini. Mazzini was instrumental in being the "Heart" of Italian nationalism. He also established the secret society known as Young Italy, an organization devoted to a united Italy. Garibaldi was considered to be the "sword" of Italian nationalism. His band of Red Shirts conquered forces opposed to unification and forced southern Italy into a cohesive political unit. Cavour (shown here) was the "brain" in his role as a skilled diplomat. Cavour successfully received aid from France in a war against the Austrians and eventually put Victor Emmanuel II on the throne of a completely united Italian nation-state in 1861.
The Sword
The Brain
The Heart
Garibaldi
Cavour
Mazzini
Garibaldi was an Italian nationalist and military leader who played a central role in the unification of Italy. He is famous for his Red Shirts, a volunteer army that fought for Italian unification in various campaigns.
Cavour was a statesman and the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia. He was a skilled diplomat and played a pivotal role in securing foreign support, especially from France under Napoleon III, to aid the cause of Italian unification.
Mazzini was a political philosopher, activist, and organizer of the Young Italy movement. He advocated for the creation of a united Italian republic and inspired many Italians to join the cause of unification.
King Victor Emmanuel II (1820-1878): Victor Emmanuel II was the King of Piedmont-Sardinia and later became the first King of Italy after unification. His leadership and support for the unification movement were instrumental in bringing about the formation of the Kingdom of Italy.
