Political Consolidation in Europe

 

Political Consolidation in Europe

Unification

Political and Social movement of unifying people from numerous states to form one state based on common geography, language, ethnicity, religion, culture and other historical factors. 

In Europe, the unification of Italy and Germany both started with the attack of Napoleon.

Unification of Italy

The unification of Italy took place in three phase

1. 1858 to 1860, 1866- Unification of Northern Italy(Italy vs Austria) 

2. 1860- Unification of Southern Italy with Northern Italy(Italy vs Kingdom of Sicily, Protectorate of France) 

3. 1871- Unification of Middle Italy(Italy vs Papal state) 

The three person whose efforts led to the unification of Italy

Heart- Mazzini

Brain- Count Cavour

Sword- Garibaldi

The bedrock of Italian Unification was led by Napoleon when he conquered many smaller kingdom of Italy in 1796 and formed large Administrative territories. These large Administrative territories unified many smaller kingdom that led to the more cultural and trade interaction amon people of Italian Peninsula. 

After the defeat of Napoleon, Congress of Vienna(1815) was organised by winning power Britain, Austria, Prussia and Russia. 

The winning powers didn't accept the representative of Italy in Congress of Vienna(1815) and divided the territory of Italy based on their intrest. After congress of Vienna major portion of Northern Italy was under control of Austria. 

The division of Italy by foreign powers in congress of Vienna further fueled the nationalist feeling of Italian people. The feeling of Nationalism was further enhanced by Italian writers, artists and thinkers. Mazzini played an important role in fueling the nationalist feeling in people of Italy. 

(a) Mazzini(1831-1852) 

He was the person who raised the feeling of Nationalism in Italian people through his writings. And this helped Count Cavour and Garibaldi to unite Italy. 

In 1831, Mazzini established Young Italy a secret society at France to overthrow foreign rule and to unite Italy under republic government system. Garibaldi get into contact with Mazzini through Young Italy. 

Mazzini also established Young Europe to spread the idea of republic government in other European countries. 

In 1948, he managed to take control of Rome but lost it in the same year because of French intervention. 

(b) Count Cavour(1852-1861) 

Count Cavour became Prime Minister of the kingdom of Piedmont and Sardinia(North West Italy). Unlike Mazzini he tried to unified the Italy under Monarchy(Kingdom of Piedmont and Sardinia). 

He was master of diplomacy. He started a newspaper to inspire the people of Italy- Il Risorgimento(Resurgence/Rebirth). And granted civil rights and freedom to press in the Kingdom of Piedmont and Sardinia. 

In 1853 Crimean war(1853-56) started between

Russia vs (Ottoman + France + Britain) 

In Crimean war Count Cavour provide help to France to get their attention. The war was lost by Russia and after the war gathering of winning force took place at Paris. 

At Paris, Count Cavour exposed the repression of Italian by Austrian ruler. After this Italy got the sympathy of European countries and France assured Count Cavour that France will not support Austria in Kingdom of Piedmont and Sardinia vs Austria war. 

After securing favourable conditions with France, Kingdom of Piedmont and Sardinia tried to create rebellion in Austria controlled northern Italy. This led to the war between 

Kingdom of Piedmont and Sardinia

Vs

Austria

With the help of france, Kingdom of Piedmont and Sardinia consolidated the northern Italy except Venice under control of Austria(year- 1759). 

(c) Garibaldi(1860-1871) 

He is regarded as hero of two worlds as he fought war on two continents- American continent(New world) and European Continent(old world). 

As the southern Italy was ruled by relative of French ruler, Kingdom of Piedmont and Sardinia(Count Cavour) use his diplomatic skill to unite southern Italy without making France angry. Instead of sending Royal forces of Kingdom of Piedmont and Sardinia, Count Cavour took the help of rebel group Redshirts led by Garibaldi. 

Expedition of the Thousands- Garibaldi with roughly one thousand volunteers(Redshirts) left the northern Italy to reach Island of Sicily via boats. 

Garibaldi first captured Island of Sicily, and then the southern Italy(Kingdom of Neples). 

In this expedition Garibaldi was supported by Britain, while Kingdom of Naples and Sicily got the support of France and Spain. 

After conquering the southern Italy, Garibaldi refused the idea of Count Cavour to unify Italy under a King. But when the ruler of Kingdom of Piedmont and Sardinia persuade Garibaldi, Garibaldi accept the unification plan. And Northern and southern Italy get unified in 1860. 

After the death of Count Cavour in 1861, the unification of Italy was done by king of Piedmont and Sardinia with the help of Garibaldi. 

Phases of Italian Unification

1. Phase 1(Northern Italy- 1858 to 1860, 1866) 

1858 to 1860- rebellion in Northern Italy followed by war between Kingdom of Piedmont and Sardinia vs Austria. 

1860- Integration of Lombardi(Austrian controlled territory) with Kingdom of Piedmont and Sardinia

1860- Plebiscite in satellite states of Austria. The result of plebiscite was in favor of Kingdom of Piedmont and Sardinia. Thus integration of Austrian satellite states with Northern Italy get completee. 

1866- the unification of Germany was under progress and Prussia sign an agreement with Victor Emmanuel II(king of Piedmont and Sardinia) against Austria. 

Austria vs Prussia war(1866, Battle of Sodowa) 

After the defeat of Austria, Venice was annexed by Kingdom of Piedmont and Sardinia(end of Northern Italy Unification) 

2. Phase 2(Southern Italy- 1860) 

Expedition of the Thousands(Redshirts) led by Garibaldi captured the southern Italy region in 1860. And Unification process get completed with the persuasion of king of Piedmont and Sardinia. 

3. Phase 3(Middle Italy- 1871) 

Middle Italy, Papal state was under a religious rule(mainly ruled by Popes). And Papal state has support of France, so it was hard for Italians to unite the papal state with Italy. 

Although a good cunk of Papal state was unified by Count Cavour with the help of local rebellions. But full scale annexation was started by Italy in 1871, after France lost battle of Saden(1870) against Germany.

Italy took advantage of weak France and annexed large portion of Papal state and reducing the Papal state to Vatican City only. 

 

Unification of Germany

The unification of Germany