The Unification of Italy: 1861, 1866, or 1870 - Understanding the Formation of the Italian Kingdom

The unification of Italy is a pivotal event in European history, marking the end of centuries of political fragmentation. This process, known as the Risorgimento, significantly altered the political landscape of Europe. Three key dates—1861, 1866, and 1870—often serve as reference points for the achievement of a unified Italian kingdom. Let us delve into the intricacies of the unification process and its implications.

1861: The Seed of Unification

1861 is generally agreed upon as the year when a pan-Italian state came into existence, albeit with incomplete territorial coverage. This came about through the efforts of prominent figures such as Giuseppe Garibaldi and Count Camillo Benso di Cavour. By 1859, Cavour had managed to secure the support of King Victor Emmanuel II of Savoy, and together they initiated a series of military campaigns to liberate northern and central Italy from Habsburg rule.

The first major victory of this campaign was the annexation of the Kingdom of Sardinia to the Kingdom of Piedmont, marking the beginning of a united Italian state. By 1861, after the First Italian War of Independence, the newly consolidated Italian state included most of the former Papal States and Venetia, excluding Rome and parts of the south, including the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. However, the war of 1859 did not fully unite Italy, and the question of Roman papal rule remained unresolved.

1866: Expansion and Annexation

In 1866, the next significant step in the unification process occurred through the Second Italian War of Independence. This conflict was a major turning point in Italian history, initiated by Prussia and Cavour. Austria was defeated, leading to the annexation of Venetia, which was previously ruled by Habsburg Austria. The Treaty of Vienna, signed in October 1866, officially granted Venetia to Italy. The victory in 1866 brought about a significant expansion of the Italian state and a significant move towards unification.

During this period, the principle of annexation became a driving force behind the push for a unified Italy. The idea that the Italian princes and nobility could be coerced into joining the kingdom was widely accepted. Hence, the year 1866 marked a crucial expansion and a step closer to a fully united Italy. However, it was still not the year when a completely unified Italy was declared.

1870: Completing the Unity

The final and decisive annexation of Rome and the papal territories took place in 1870. This event, known as the Sack of Rome, completed the unification of Italy. The Franco-Prussian War of 1870–71, in which France and the Second French Empire were defeated by Prussia and its allies, removed France's protective force from Rome. Without French resistance, Italian troops quickly marched into Rome, compelling Pope Pius IX to flee to the Vatican under papal guards. The First Italian Republic was thus fully established, with Victor Emmanuel II recognized as the King of Italy.

The capture of Rome in 1870 was not only the final step in the unification process but also the birth of modern Italy as a nation-state. The year 1870 marked the completion of the unification process, with the Italian state now officially embracing a more comprehensive territorial and political unity.

Conclusion

The unification of Italy, while often associated with a single year, in fact took several steps. Each of the mentioned years—1861, 1866, and 1870—played a critical role in shaping the country we know today. The elections held in 1861, the expansion in 1866, and the capture of Rome in 1870 all contributed to the creation of a unified Italian kingdom. Understanding the context and details of each of these events provides a deeper appreciation for the historical significance of Italian unification.

References

Wikipedia - Risorgimento Wikipedia - Sack of Rome (1870) Wikipedia - Second Italian War of Independence