Italian Unification: Part 1
Guiseppe Mazzini (The Heart)
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Born 1805 in Genoa, part of the French Empire at the time
Lawyer, writer and intellectual
Fervent Italian nationalist, wished to unite Italy a creat an Italian
rebublic based on personal Freedom and Liberal Ideas
Joined secret society “Carbonari”
Was involved in several insurrections all around the country
Exiled to London and wrote several essays on the nature of
nationalism and the Pope as a political leader
Deeply involved in the failed 1848 revolutions throughout Italy
Spent much of his late life hiding from Police
Impact: Although Mazzini experienced no success in his campaigns,
he is credited for being one of the most important people in the
Formation of Italy. Mazzini’s writings were the first to propose that
Italy was “One Nation and One People.” His work was an inspiration
for Italians everywhere.
Guiseppe Garibaldi (The Sword)
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Born 1807 in Nice (although part of the French Empire, Nice was populated by Italians)
As a young man, he became captain of a merchant marine vessel
He met Mazzini in 1833 and joined the “Carbonari”
Garibaldi believed in Liberalism and nationalism and fought for these ideas his entire life.
Everywhere he went he fought for people rights, freedoms and self-government. Garibaldi,
although a devote Christian fought against the church’s rule in central Italy, He believed that the
church was repressing the people and was the main obstacle in the construction of the Italian
nation
Took part in one of Mazzini’s failed revolts and was forced
to flee the country
Found his way to Brazil and joined Gaucho rebels fighting
against the new government
Moved to Uruguay and raised an “Italian Legion” and
commanded a fleet in that countries Civil War
Garibaldi proved to be a brilliant guerilla fighter and won
many important victories
His “Italian Legion” wore Red Shirts (traditional gaucho
clothing) and their flag was black with a volcano in the
center (black because they were mourning for their
homeland and the volcano, the dormant power of the
Italian people)
In 1848, he took 4000 troops to Sardinia to take part in the
revolution
Was forced to leave Italy again and moved to Staten Island, New York
In 1860, Garibaldi saw revolts in the Kingdom of Two Sicilies in Southerrn Italy.
He took 1000 men (“il Mille” AKA the thousand AKA the Red Shirts and invaded
Volunteers soon joined he ranks and Garibaldi managed to defeat the entire army of Sicily
He crossed into mainland Italy and continued his march towards Rome.
His only goal was to unite the people of Italy, he wanted no power of glory for himself.
His Army defeated every force that resisted them and most people met Garibaldi with
celebrations
He enter the Papal States and met the Sardinian Army (which included elements of several
northern Italian states) just outside Rome.