Maddy Decker

Mr. Baumgartner
October 1, 2015
Italian Unification
Pride, Prestige, and Power of Italian Nationalism
Nationalism is a concept that is inclusive of all countries. A sense of loyalty and
devotion to a nation: a sense of consciousness placing primary emphasis on promotion of its
culture and interest1, strong pride containing sacrifice, struggle, and strength only to prove that
country is superior to all.It is traditional, therefore, to distinguish nations from states whereas
a nation often consists of an ethnic or cultural community, a state is a political entity with a high
degree of sovereignty.2 If and when a country is experiencing the absence of nationalism it has
no place to turn when looking at morals, beliefs, spirit, of pride. Nationalism is what carries a
country to be victorious in the majority of occurrences. Moreover, the issue of nationalism points
to a wider domain of problems related to the treatment of ethnic and cultural differences within
democratic polity, arguably among the most pressing problems of contemporary political
theory.3
The constant battle for unity was turmoil for the future once the country of Austria
willingly no longer wanted part in the unity process. Between 1848 and 1849 the fall out in
revolution later forced a new king whom was formally known to the people as Victor Emmanuel
1 Baumgartner, Gary ?. "Gabriel Kendall Period E Lecture." Contemporary Issues. Coventry High School,
Coventry. 6 Sept. 2015. Web.

2 "Nationalism." Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. 21 Nov. 2001. Web. 21 Sept. 2015.

3 "Nationalism." Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. 21 Nov. 2001. Web. 21 Sept. 2015.

the Second who supplied leadership from 1849-1878. Emmanuel inflicted in with Genoa in
hopes to suppress a revolt, when Victors plan of revolt backfired, Count Camillo Benso of
Cavour later took control, which in the end profited Emmanuel when he later became the
connection to Risorgimento. Young Italy, Italian Giovine Italia, movement founded by
Giuseppe Mazzini in 1831 to work for a united, republican Italian nation. Attracting many
Italians to the cause of independence, it played an important role in the Risorgimento. 4
Once Cavour consumed absolute leadership after King Victor Emmanuel named Count Camillo
de Cavour as his prime minister, he pursued a policy of economic expansion, encouraging the
building of roads, canals, and railroads and fostering business enterprise by expanding credit and
stimulating investment in new industries.5 All tasks of constructing expansions and
improvements were made easy due to the circumstances that Cavour favored the constitutional
government. Cavour knew the intensity that Austria accompanied from previous encounters, and
seeked help from the French which later back-fired once Napoleon backed down. Before Cavour
reached out to Napoleon for assistance with Austria, France and Austria obtained neutrality
which benefitted Italys stance. Napoleon realized that despite two losses, the Austrian army
had not yet been defeated; the struggle might be longer and more costly than he had
anticipated.6

4 Britannca, Encyclopedia. "Young Italy | Italian Nationalist Movement."Encyclopedia Britannica Online.

Encyclopedia Britannica. Web. 29 Sept. 2015.

5 Spielvogel, Jackson J. "An Age of Nationalism and Realism 1850-1871." In Western Civilization: Since 1300,
670-82. Boston, MA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2012

6 Spielvogel, Jackson J. "An Age of Nationalism and Realism 1850-1871."Western Civilization: Since 1300.
Boston, MA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2012. 670-82. Print.

The mastermind of independence was the new leader in Southern Italy Giuseppe Garibaldi, and
with his motivational and focused efforts created an army of Red Shirts.7 Garibaldi also
founded an additional group in which seeked to create a new Nation formed solely on intensified
republican morals. 8 T Once the city of Naples was overthrown by the Piedmontese army, which
was the point point to where the change began to happen and the switch to unity became visible.
On March 17, 1861, the new kingdom of Italy was proclaimed under centralized government
subordinated to the control of the Piedmont and King Victor Emmanuel II of the house of
Savoy.9 Garibaldi became such an important figure to the Italian people for not solely being a
leader of one of the largest, most well-known determined patriot, but Giuseppe consequently
acquired a master's certification as a merchant captain, as well as serving in the Navy.10
Garibaldi carried himself with an aura that the people adored, and simply could not seem to
agree more with. Having this quality in a political leader is immensely and initially superior as if
a leader does not have the ability to listen to concerns of the people, no progress will be made.
The topic of Nationalism and Sovereignty has become to subsequently clear that it is the focal
point to all strong nations. But when Whether it lead to becoming offended when the people of
7 Spielvogel, Jackson J. "An Age of Nationalism and Realism 1850-1871."Western Civilization: Since 1300.
Boston, MA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2012. 670-82. Print.

8 Britannca, Encyclopedia. "Young Italy | Italian Nationalist Movement."Encyclopedia Britannica Online.

Encyclopedia Britannica. Web. 29 Sept. 2015.

9 Spielvogel, Jackson J. "An Age of Nationalism and Realism 1850-1871."Western Civilization:

Since 1300. Boston, MA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2012. 670-82. Print.

10 Foot, John. "Giuseppe Garibaldi | Italian Revolutionary." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Accessed
September 2015. http://www.britannica.com/biography/Giuseppe-Garibaldi.

Venetta claimed that the Sicilians were also Italians, or taking sides with the king to gain political
sovereignty, each incident came back to the initial idea of unity. Without struggle there is no
strength, but when exactly does the strength run out? Italy was fortunate enough to be ruled by
both King Emmanuel who dominated powers previously, or Guiseppe Garibaldi who had a liking
for the people and came out victorious, but neither of them ever gave on on the country.