Italian Unification - Garibaldi And Cavour (outline)

Both Garibaldi and Count Cavour were important to the unification of Italy. Who played the more important role, and why? I.

II.

III.

Introduction a. Count Cavour and Giuseppe Garibaldi both contributed heavily to the Italian unification movement b. Each one was known for his own unique style of politics, and therefore each contributed differently to the movement i. Cavour – more political ii. Garibaldi – more military force and presence in the peninsula c. Neither could have achieved Italian unification without the other d. However, Cavour’s strategic style of politics and manipulation was by far more important Cavour a. Started newspaper called Il Risorgimento – “The Resurgence” in 1847 b. Became PM of Sardinia in 1852 – goals: i. Improve infrastructure ii. Stabilize economy iii. Raise money for possible war iv. Strengthen Sicily c. Very moderate, believed in constitutional monarchy d. Wanted Italian unification issue publicized, did so at Paris Peace Conference for Crimean War e. Plombières Alliance – July 20, 1858 i. Secret agreement between Cavour and Louis Napoleon at a spa ii. Napoleon promised to join war to drive Austria out of Italy, as long as it could be justified in the eyes of diplomacy iii. Reorganized as confederation of four states – upper, central, papal, Two Sicilies iv. Nice and Savoy were given to France f. Cavour “justified” war with Austria by sheltering Austrian deserters and encouraging Austria’s Italian provinces to revolt g. April 23, 1859 – Austria sends ultimatum to Sardinia, war begins four days later h. Treaty of Turin – March 24, 1860 i. After mishap of Villafranca between France and Austria, Italian nationalists angered because Venetia was left to Austria ii. France gets Nice and Savoy iii. Sardinia gains consent to annex central Italy Garibaldi

IV.

V.

VI.

a. Originally guerilla fighter in South America b. Italian patriot, radical republican, believed in freedom of individual c. Raised volunteer army to defend Venetia and Rome from France – “Thousand Red Shirts” d. Landed in Sicily to quell rebellion against King Francis II – May 11, 1860 e. Successful in Sicily, gained support of Sicilian peasants f. Proclaimed himself dictator of Sicily in the name of King Victor Emmanuel II g. Conquered most of Sicily by July 1860 h. Conquered Naples on September 7, 1860 Cavour and Garibaldi together a. Garibaldi was complete opposite of Cavour: i. Cavour applied sophisticated intelligence to politics and prepared every political move with extreme care ii. Garibaldi believed in direct action and had courage to take action no matter the odds b. Cavour was embarrassed by some Garibaldi’s military campaigns, such as the defense of Venetia and Rome from France c. Cavour manipulated Garibaldi and his army – Sicilian war d. Garibaldi had become dangerous rival to Sardinia e. Cavour checked Garibaldi’s power by sending a Sardinian army to join Garibaldi’s army in south Italy, and then to Naples – regained initiative in movement f. Cavour held plebiscites on October 21 and 22, 1860 in Naples and Sicily – people voted in favor of union with Sardinia g. March 17, 1861 – Victor Emmanuel II proclaimed king of unified kingdom of Italy Counterclaims a. Some might argue that Garibaldi did more of the work, and therefore was more important b. Cavour and Garibaldi each had different approaches and actions: i. Cavour was more of a political thinker, and acted accordingly ii. Garibaldi believed in direct action without too much thought c. Cavour did not have a solid plan to unify Italy, but when Garibaldi began the military campaigns, Cavour used them to his advantage d. Although Garibaldi did indeed do most of the “work”, Cavour was the genius behind all of the actions, political or not Conclusion a. It is difficult to choose one man over the other, because each contributed a great deal to the Italian unification movement