Transcript Ital Unif 2008

The Unification of Italy
BACKGROUND &
EVENTS 1815-1830
The Development of Italy
Map shows
similar pattern
to the 1815 map
of Italy. Italy
was in the words
of Metternich a
“ geographical
expression” with
no obvious
attempt at any
unity
Italy in 1796
During the
Revolutionary
Wars Italy fell
under French
control. All the
states were
amalgamated
into 3 – one
directly under
French control
and the others
under
Napoleon’s
appointees
Italy in 1810
The Congress of
Vienna saw the
break up of
Napoleon’s Italy
and the reestablishment of
the old
divisions. A key
element was the
influence given
to Austria to act
as a counterbalance to
France.
Italy 1815 following Treaty of
Vienna
Lombardy &
Venetia
The 3
Duchies
Kingdom of
the 2 Sicilies
The Papal
States
The Impact of French Rule
 One positive effect of French rule was the more
democratic system of government that was
introduced
 The Catholic Church lost power, wealth, and
influence
 The French presented the Italians with a common
enemy – secret societies were formed to oppose them
 After 1815 these same groups had another enemy –
the Austrian empire
Italy & the Vienna Settlement
 The Congress of Vienna re-established the rulers of
the Italian states
 In many states the French system of government and
the changes that were made were undone as the old
absolute rulers returned
 The main change that was made was the level of
influence given to Austria
The Revolutions (1820s)
 Conflict in Spain caused trouble in some Italian
states
 The Carbonari rose up in Naples against Ferdinand
& forced him to grant a constitution
 At the same time trade guilds in Sicily aimed at
separation from Naples and drove out the governor
 A revolution broke out in Piedmont to create a
constitutional government. Victor Emmanuel I
abdicated – Charles Albert took over as regent
The Results of the Revolts
 Naples – Ferdinand asked the Great Powers (GB,
Russia, Austria, Prussia & France) for help
 Austria sent troops to crush the rebels
 Sicily – Rebels in Naples opposed the rebels & sent
troops to help government forces. Rebels were
defeated
 Piedmont – Charles Felix heir to the throne
denounced Charles Albert. Asked for help from the
Austrians – Charles Albert fled as troops arrived
1831
 Parma and Modena –some idea of driving Austrians
out of Italy – rulers fled but returned with Austrian
troops to defeat the rebels
 Papal States – rising intended to dismantle papal
rule. The pope fled & a provisional government was
set up. Austria sent troops to defeat the rebels