HIST 1031 Chapter Notes - Chapter 22: Victor Emmanuel Ii Of Italy, Italian Unification, Unification Of Germany
Document Summary
In the mid-19th century, italy was made up of all independent states that were not united. Many italians feared republican nationalism, because they did not want to be under austrian rule. In 1860, the italian peninsula was turned into a nation-state with the help of camilio cavour, the prime minister of the kingdom of sardinia in northern italy. Cavour believed that a unified italian state was necessary for economic and social progress. He promoted free trade, railway creation, and agricultural improvement to show that italy was economically progressive. He believed an alliance with france (napoleon iii) was their only path to defeating austria. March 1861 victor emmanuel ii is proclaimed king of italy. This unified had difficulties because of the economic and social discrepancies between north and south italy. The south was rural and poor while the north was industrializing. Italian politics became corrupt with bribery and favors gaining people seat in the cabinet.
