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Beginnings
In the 1790s many Italians had been inspired by the ideals of the French Revolution. Conquest by Napoléon had unified Italy for a brief time. However, the Congress of Vienna again divided Italy into several large and small states. Austria ruled the territories of Lombardy and Venetia, and reactionary monarchs in other states tried to undo the reforms made during Napoléon's time -
Early 1800s
n the early 1800s many thinkers and writers tried to revive interest in Italy's traditions. This nationalist movement became known as risorgimento—the Italian word for "resurgence." Its goals were liberation and unification. -
Spreading the Ideas of Risorgimento
In 1831 Mazzini called for all Italian patriots to join his Young Italy movement, dedicated to spreading the ideas of the risorgimento. -
Revolts!
In 1848 liberals and nationalists led revolts in several Italian states. -
Rome is seized
In 1849 the revolutionaries seized Rome, setting up a republic governed by Mazzini and two other leaders. -
Austria recaptures its former Possessions
In 1849 Austria recaptured some of its former possessions in the north. Monarchs in the other states returned to power, revoking the new constitutions. Only the Kingdom of Sardinia remained a completely independent state -
War with Austria
In 1859 Cavour began military preparations for war. In response Austria declared war, just as Cavour had hoped. At first the war went according to plan. Sardinian and French forces drove the Austrians out of Lombardy and marched into Venetia. Napoleon III was then concered that Austria would combine forces with Austria. Napoléon III signed an armistice with Austria. -
Spring of 1860
n the spring of 1860, Garibaldi and his "Expedition of the Thousand" invaded and captured Sicily. Crossing to Italy's mainland, Garibaldi's forces seized Naples, the capital city. -
Fall of 1860
In the fall of 1860 Garibaldi and Emmanual II met in Naples. Garibaldi promised to support the establishment of the kingdom of Italy, with Victor Emmanuel II as king. -
Victor Emmanuel- King of Italy
During 1860 people everywhere in Italy, except Venetia and Rome, held plebiscites. They voted overwhelmingly for national unity under the king of Sardinia.Meeting in Turin in 1861, representatives of the various states confirmed Victor Emmanuel II as king of Italy. -
Gain of Venetia
In 1866 Italy gained Venetia in a war with Austria -
Rome Proclaimed Capital
in 1870 Rome's citizens voted for union with Italy. The following year Rome was proclaimed the capital of the kingdom of Italy. -
Ventures in Africa
Attempting to build a colonial empire, Italy engaged in several military ventures in Africa in the 1880s. -
War Against Ottoman Empire
A brief war against the Ottoman Empire in 1911 brought little gain. -
Conquest of Libya
The conquest of Libya in 1912 strengthened Italy's position in the Mediterranean region but divided the nation.