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Garibaldi, the South and the Kingdom of Italy
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In 1860 Garibaldi conquered southern Italy with a thousand volunteers. Cavour then had to make sure Garibaldi's victory benefited Piedmont.
The Thousand
Garibaldi, a famous nationalist soldier, sailed from Genoa with about a thousand volunteers (the Redshirts) in May 1860.
Helped by a rising in Sicily, he conquered the island, then crossed to the mainland and took Naples in September 1860.
Motives: to unite Italy, and anger that his birthplace, Nice, had been given to France.
Helped by a rising in Sicily, he conquered the island, then crossed to the mainland and took Naples in September 1860.
Motives: to unite Italy, and anger that his birthplace, Nice, had been given to France.
Cavour's response
Cavour feared Garibaldi would march on Rome, provoking France, or set up a republic.
He sent Piedmont's army south through the Papal States, taking most of them but leaving Rome alone.
Garibaldi met Victor Emmanuel II at Teano (October 1860) and handed over his conquests.
He sent Piedmont's army south through the Papal States, taking most of them but leaving Rome alone.
Garibaldi met Victor Emmanuel II at Teano (October 1860) and handed over his conquests.
The Kingdom of Italy, 1861
Plebiscites approved joining Piedmont.
The Kingdom of Italy was proclaimed in March 1861, with Victor Emmanuel II as king.
Venetia (Austria) and Rome (the Pope, protected by France) were still outside.
Cavour died in June 1861.
The Kingdom of Italy was proclaimed in March 1861, with Victor Emmanuel II as king.
Venetia (Austria) and Rome (the Pope, protected by France) were still outside.
Cavour died in June 1861.
Why did Cavour send Piedmont's army south in 1860?
- Garibaldi might attack Rome, risking war with France.
- He might set up a republic instead of joining Piedmont.
- So Cavour moved to control events and secure the South for Victor Emmanuel.
Answer: To stop Garibaldi attacking Rome or creating a republic, and keep control for Piedmont.
Garibaldi and the Thousand took Sicily and Naples in 1860. Cavour sent the army through the Papal States to stop him reaching Rome; at Teano Garibaldi handed over his conquests. The Kingdom of Italy was proclaimed in 1861, without Venetia and Rome.
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