Another problem faced by Italian nationalists was the influence of Romanticism. The revolutionaries were influenced by Romanticism ideas and their plans were impractical. They did not understand the key elements to a successful unification movement. For example, Mazzini’s idea of setting up a republic could never succeed as long as there was French protection in Rome.
After 1848 Revolution, the revolutionaries successfully turned from Romanticism to Realpolitik, which means pragmatic policies. The utter failure of the Revolution showed that unification could never be achieved without careful planning and preparation. They now understand that internal strength and foreign aid was necessary for unification. Thus Cavour led Piedmont to join the Crimean War in 1854-56 in order to gain British and French aid. This helped to facilitate the movement.
Lack of leadership and military strength were great hindrance to the unification movement. There was no state leadership before 1848 Revolution and revolts were on a parochial basis. Evidence was shown in the sparsity of revolts in 1820s and 30s. However, after the Revolution, great leader like Emmanuel II, Cavour and Garibaldi emerged. Victor Emmanuel II retained the constitution granted by his father, thus made Piedmont the most liberal state in Italy. He was also credited for appointing Cavour as the Prime Minister. Cavour was an outstanding diplomat; he carried out intense reforms to strengthen Piedmont and obtained the powers’ consent before adding new Italian states to Piedmont. For example, he secured French neutrality by signing the Treaty o Turin before the plebiscite of the three Duchies. By doing so, he carefully avoided foreign intervention in Italy. Garibaldi provided excellent military leadership to Piedmont. It was for his conquest of Sicilies and Naples that southern Italy was incorporated into the Kingdom of Northern Italy. According to Stiles, “He (Garibaldi) represented a non-intellectual active approach to Italian unity.”
The fourth problem faced by the Italians was the dissension among the revolutionaries. Before 1848, there were quarrels over which form of government should a united Italy followed. There were three different choices, a constitutional monarchy under Piedmont, a federation under the Pope and a Republic. They enjoyed the same degree of support and there was little, if not any, co-operation between them at all. This greatly hindered the development of the unification movement.
However, the idea of federation and republicanism became less popular after their failures in the 1848 Revolution. The Pope fled in terror and asked for foreign assistance in the Revolution, which led to the occupation of French troops in Rome. The Roman republic was destroyed. A constitutional monarchy under Piedmont became the idea of the day as the Italians witnessed the bravery of Piedmont in fighting against Austria twice between 1848 and 1849. Piedmont was looked upon as the national leader of the revolution afterwards, thus the obstacles of dissension among the revolutionaries was overcome.
Externally, the unfavorable international circumstance was a great obstacle to the Italian movement as well. The powers were keen to keep the 1815 Settlement intact, so they were keen to suppress nationalism by all means. Austria was the greatest obstacle to Italian unity as she controlled most of the states. Stiles commented, “Austria holds the key to Italian unification and had no intention of unlocking the door.” Moreover, the occupation of French troops in Rome also made unification difficult.
As the international atmosphere gradually changed the Italian unification movement was shone light on. The increasing national sentiments among the Italian people weaken the power of princes. The flee of Metternich also signified the decline of Austria. The ambitions of Napoleon III allowed Italy to get French help to retrieve Lombardy. The neutrality of France enabled Italy to gain the Central Duchies. Britain’s attitude to Italy was sympathetic so she accepted Piedmont as a qualified leader to lead the unification movement after 1848. The presence of British navy at key moments allowed Garibaldi to conquer Sicily and Naples. Her benevolent policy also discouraged intervention from other powers. Prussia helped Piedmont gained Venetia and Rome after the Austro- Piedmontese War and the France-Prussian War. By 1879 all Italian states were free from alien rule.
By trying to carry out Risorgimento create the key features of a former, more glorious state, the Italians fought against these obstacles both internally and externally and finally achieved unification successfully. The 1848 Revolution was a milestone in marking the overcoming of obstacles in the unification movement. Italy, by 1870, was no longer a “geographic expression” only.
