Italian nationalism and the unification of Italy
had left the Island in chaos, with anti- Neapolitan feeling at an all-time high and with the Neapolitan army being worried about the possibility of being ambushed by dispossessed peasants. This means that Garibaldi’s success was partly due to his skill as a leader and partly due to the caution of the Neapolitan officers. 135 His conquest of Naples was again successful partially due to the weakness of the Neapolitan Army. While they had strong troops, their officers were indecisive, and so Garibaldi was able to defeat the garrison at Reggio, while the main Neapolitan army retreated in disorder and surrendered at Soveria-Mannelli. By this time, King Francis of Naples’ power was dwindling, with many peasants rebelling to form Partisan groups, and his own interior minister Liborio Romano negotiating with the Garibaldini to betray the King. The King soon fled and Garibaldi arrived in Naples to a King’s reception. Therefore, this shows that while the strength of Garibaldi’s leadership was certainly a factor for the success of this expedition, it cannot be ignored that he did face a weak opposition and did have a degree of luck involved in his victory. Having said that, if it were not for his reputation as an Italian nationalist, it is likely that the King would not have been betrayed and he would not have been received so well in Naples. However, while the conquests of Garibaldi were certainly a contributing factor to the unification, the actions of Cavour at this point were vitally important for two main reasons. First of all, it is likely that France, as well as other Catholic European powers would have reacted with force if they thought that the Pope was threatened, especially as many of the Garibaldini were Mazzinians, who were against the Church and its teachings, and so were all too keen to attack Rome. Secondly, with an army nearly numbering 60,000, 136 it wasn’t sure whether even Garibaldi could even
control the Garibaldini , who again mainly being Mazzinians, were revolutionary republicans, and so probably would not have wanted for the land that they had conquered to be handed over to Piedmont to become part of a new Kingdom under Victor Emmanuel. Therefore, by sending an army to invade the Papal States, Cavour could convince the French that the Pope would not be in danger, avoiding the possibility of a French retaliation. In conclusion, it is fair to say that Italian nationalism played an enormous part in the Unification of Italy. It is what drove Garibaldi throughout his time fighting for Unification, leading him to achieve the extraordinary feat of capturing southern Italy, defeating much larger forces than his own. Moreover, it inspired many ordinary Italians to join the Garibaldini , as well as Young Italy. Furthermore, it is what inspired Mazzini, who after all was the one who recruited Garibaldi to the cause. However, it cannot be ignored that Cavour played a vital role in the Unification, and as he is considered more of a Piedmontese expansionist than an Italian nationalist, this shows how Italian nationalism was not the only factor in Unification. While the romantic historians consider him to be one of the heroes of the Risorgimento alongside Garibaldi and Mazzini, the fact is he only started to believe in Italian unity after it became clear that it was definitely possible, and that the new Italian nation would be created as a Monarchy under the Piedmontese King Victor Emmanuel. Therefore, while there would definitely have been no unification without Italian nationalism, without Cavour’s governing of Piedmontese interests, along with a certain degree of luck involved in Garibaldi’s expedition to Sicily and Naples, it is highly unlikely that there would have been Unification in 1861.
135 Pearce and Stiles, p. 88 136 Pearce and Stiles, p. 89
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