7.2 Cavour, Garibaldi, and the Role of Piedmont

Cavour and Garibaldi were key players in Italian unification. Cavour used diplomacy and alliances to boost Piedmont's status, while Garibaldi led military campaigns. Their efforts, though different, worked together to unite Italy.

Piedmont's role was crucial, with its constitutional reforms and military strength. International events like the Crimean War and alliances with France and Prussia also shaped the unification process. These factors combined to create a unified Italy by 1871.

Cavour's Strategies for Unification

Diplomatic Maneuvering and Alliances

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• Emphasized "Italia fara da se" (Italy will make itself) strategy focused on Piedmontese leadership in unification through diplomatic maneuvering and strategic alliances
• Secured French support against Austria through Plombières Agreement of 1858 with Napoleon III
• Participated in Crimean War (1853-1856) alongside Britain and France elevated Piedmont's international status
• Presented Italian question at Congress of Paris in 1856 following Crimean War participation
• Exploited concept of "Risorgimento" (resurgence) framed unification as revival of Italy's historical greatness appealed to nationalist sentiments

Domestic Political and Economic Policies

• Implemented "connubio" (marriage) policy united moderate liberals and conservative reformers in Piedmont created stable political base
• Modernized Piedmont through economic policies including railway expansion and free trade agreements
• Created Ministry of Agriculture, Industry, and Commerce in 1850 spearheaded economic reforms and modernization efforts
• Used secret societies and nationalist movements (National Society) spread pro-unification sentiment while maintaining plausible deniability

Garibaldi's Military Campaigns

The Expedition of the Thousand and Southern Campaigns

• Led Expedition of the Thousand (1860) conquered Sicily and Naples from Bourbon monarchy
• Formed and led Redshirts volunteer force became synonymous with Italian revolutionary nationalism and military prowess
• Employed guerrilla tactics and popular support contrasted with conventional military strategies of the time
• Handed over southern conquests to King Victor Emmanuel II prioritized national unity over personal ambition or republican ideals

Later Campaigns and Ideological Tensions

• Attempted to capture Rome in 1862 and 1867 demonstrated persistence and complexities of Roman Question
• Participated in Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871) impacted Italian public opinion and final stages of unification
• Balanced republican ideals with pragmatic support for Piedmontese monarchy as means to achieve unification
• Gained mythic status through unconventional tactics and popular appeal

Piedmont's Role in Unification

Constitutional and Military Reforms

• Established Statuto Albertino of 1848 Piedmont's constitution made it beacon of liberal governance in Italy
• Attracted support from reformers across peninsula through constitutional monarchy
• Modernized military under La Marmora became most formidable Italian state and credible challenger to Austrian dominance
• Balanced royal authority with parliamentary governance under Victor Emmanuel II provided stability during unification process

Territorial Expansion and Diplomacy

• Annexed Lombardy in 1859 demonstrated Piedmont's growing power
• Conducted plebiscites in central Italy showcased appeal as unifying force
• Expanded diplomatic influence through strategic marriages and alliances (France and Britain)
• Played crucial role in Second Italian War of Independence (1859) led to territorial expansion and increased prestige within Italy

International Influences on Unification

European Wars and Alliances

• Elevated Piedmont's international status through participation in Crimean War (1853-1856)
• Formed alliance between Piedmont and France culminated in Franco-Piedmontese victory over Austria in Second Italian War of Independence (1859)
• Acquired Venetia as result of Austro-Prussian War (1866) and alliance with Prussia
• Enabled capture of Papal States following Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871) and withdrawal of French troops from Rome

Diplomatic Support and Global Context

• Received British diplomatic support and benefited from non-intervention policy facilitated unification without direct military involvement
• Utilized Congress of Paris (1856) as turning point internationalized Italian question and legitimized Piedmont's leadership role
• Influenced by Eastern Question and Ottoman decline affected European power dynamics indirectly impacted unification efforts
• Presented Italian question at international forums (Congress of Paris) increased awareness and support for unification cause