Question

Describe unification of Italy.

Answer 1

Hint: Italy had different kingdoms existing and was not united which led to a huge economic crisis during the 1830 and 1840s.

Complete answer:
During the 1830s Mazzini sought to unify the divided Italy. This was a time of great problems in Italy. Both economically and politically, Italy was a weak country and was divided into many kingdoms. The Northern states were far more rich than the southern states and a need for a unified Italy was felt. He had formed the secret organisation by the name of 'Young Italy' but it had failed miserably. This possibility fell on Sardinia-Piedmont under its ruler king Victor Emmanuel II to unify Italian state through war. The Chief Minister Cavour diplomatically joined Sardinia-Piedmont, in an alliance with France and defeated the Austrian forces. The armed volunteers led by Guiseppe Garibaldi also supported the troops and they marched into South Italy and the Kingdom of two Sicilies. They enjoyed the support of peasants there. In 1861 Emmanuel II was declared the king of unified Italy however, most of the Italians were unaware of the idea of liberal-nationalist ideology .

Note: The unification of Italy in 1870 could not bring about the desired changes in the economic conditions of Italy. Istead it got even worse in the early part of the twentieth century when Italy got involved in a costly World War 1. Economic crisis was very much intertwined with political instability as an unstable government was unable to provide a solid way out of the economic crisis that Italy was in.