Congress of Vienna and
the Unification of Italy
Congress of Vienna
• A meeting of Royalty held in Vienna, Austria.
• September 1814 through June 1815
• The agreements return many kings to power
who Napoleon had removed.
• Most Kings eliminate the democratic reforms
of the Revolution.
Congress of Vienna
• Redraws the map of Europe:
– Creates a German Confederation
– Increases the size of the Austrian Empire
• Creates a balance of power among the big
countries of Europe to keep peace.
• Austria, Russia, Prussia and Great Britain are
the main players.
The Unification of Italy:
Young Italy
• Italy was made up of
independent states despite
sharing many common
characteristics.
• Young Italy was an
organization founded by
Giuseppe Mazzini in 1831 to
unite the Italians.
• Their objectives were to unite
the Italian People, reduce the
power of the Roman Catholic
Church and expel foreigners.
The Unification of Italy:
Sardinia in the lead
• One of Italy’s independent
state was the Kingdom of
Sardinia.
• Their king was Victor
Emmanuel II and his Prime
Minister was Count Camillo di
Cavour.
• Cavour wanted to promote
Italian industry.
• To reduce the power of the
Catholic Church.
• To promote the country of
Sardinia.
The Unification of Italy:
Sardinia in the lead
• To win foreign
support, Cavour joins
the Crimean War
• Convinces the French
to attack the Austrians
• Gets several states to
join under the
leadership of Victor
Emmanuel II.
The Unification of Italy:
Southern story
• In the Southern part of
Italy, the Red Shirts are led
by Giuseppe Garibaldi.
• Unifies agricultural
southern Italy
• He turns it over to Victor
Emmanuel II who controls
the industrial north.