Revolutions of 1848 in Italy (Part 4 of 5)

Tom Richey
31 May 201506:05
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn this lecture, the focus is on the pivotal events of 1848 within the Italian unification movement. Despite being fragmented and under foreign rule, Italy witnessed three key revolutions against Austrian, Bourbon, and Papal authority, all of which initially failed. Prominent figures like Giuseppe Mazzini and Giuseppe Garibaldi played crucial roles, with Garibaldi's shift from romantic to pragmatic nationalism eventually leading to unification under a conservative monarchy, rather than a republic.

Takeaways
  • đź“ś The lecture focuses on the Italian unification movement and its significant events in 1848.
  • 🌍 Italy in 1848 was fragmented and under foreign dominance, with the Austrians in the north, the Bourbon Kingdom in the south, and the Pope controlling central Italy.
  • đź’Ą Three unsuccessful revolutions occurred in Italy in 1848: against the Austrians in the north, the Sicilian revolt in the south, and the attempt to establish a Roman Republic in central Italy.
  • 🔍 Giuseppe Mazzini was a key figure in the early Italian unification movement, promoting the idea of a united Italy and playing a role in founding the Roman Republic in 1849.
  • đźš« The Roman Republic faced opposition from the Pope and foreign intervention, leading to its short-lived existence.
  • 🤝 Giuseppe Garibaldi, known as the 'sword of Italian unification,' initially supported the Roman Republic but later embraced pragmatic nationalism.
  • 🛡️ Foreign powers intervened to suppress the revolutions, with the French army intervening in Rome, the Austrian army in northern Italy, and the Bourbons in the south.
  • 🏛️ The failure of the Roman Republic led to a shift in Italian unification strategy from romantic nationalism to a more conservative approach.
  • 🗣️ Garibaldi's famous departure from Rome symbolized the temporary setback but not the end of the unification efforts, as he vowed to continue the fight for a united Italy.
  • đź‘‘ The Italian unification would eventually be achieved not on a republican basis, but with a more conservative monarchy under King Victor Emmanuel II.
  • 🔄 The script highlights the theme of conservative striking back against revolutionary movements and the eventual pragmatic shift in Italian nationalism.
Q & A
  • What is the main focus of this lecture series episode?

    -The main focus of this lecture series episode is the revolutions of 1848, specifically in Italy and the Italian unification movement.

  • How did Italy's political landscape look like before unification?

    -Before unification, Italy was fragmented with foreign dominance. The north was dominated by the Austrians, the south by the Bourbon Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, and central Italy was under the personal control of the Pope in the Papal States.

  • What were the three barriers to Italian unification at the time?

    -The three barriers to Italian unification were Austrian dominance in the north, the Bourbon rule in the south, and the Pope's control over central Italy in the Papal States.

  • How did the Italian revolutions of 1848 unfold?

    -The Italian revolutions of 1848 involved three unsuccessful attempts: a rebellion against the Austrians in the north, a Sicilian revolt against the Bourbons in the south, and an attempt to establish a Roman Republic in central Italy.

  • Who was Giuseppe Mazzini and what was his role in the Italian unification movement?

    -Giuseppe Mazzini was a prominent figure in the early Italian unification movement, often called the heart of Italian unification. He was a romantic nationalist who believed in a united Italy and was instrumental in founding the Roman Republic in 1849.

  • What happened to the Roman Republic established by Mazzini and his allies?

    -The Roman Republic, established by Mazzini and his allies, was short-lived. It was eventually suppressed by the intervention of foreign powers, including the French and Austrian armies, and the Bourbons in the south.

  • How did the Pope react to the establishment of the Roman Republic?

    -The Pope was not pleased with the establishment of the Roman Republic, as it was in a place where he had personally ruled. He left Rome and called for help from Catholic countries to re-establish his control over the Papal States.

  • What was Garibaldi's response to the failure of the Roman Republic?

    -Garibaldi acknowledged that he could not fight against the converging armies and had to leave Rome. However, he told his men that their defeat was not forever and that they would eventually succeed in their goal of Italian unification.

  • How did Garibaldi's approach to Italian unification change after the failures of 1848?

    -Garibaldi shifted from romantic nationalism to pragmatic nationalism. He embraced the idea of unifying Italy under a conservative monarchy, promoting Victor Emmanuel II as the king of Italy and pledging his sword to him.

  • What does the lecturer mention about the future of Italian unification?

    -The lecturer mentions that Italian unification will still happen, but it will occur on the basis of 'blood and iron and real politic,' implying a more pragmatic and less idealistic approach to achieving unity.

  • What is the significance of Garibaldi's handshake with Victor Emmanuel II?

    -The handshake symbolizes Garibaldi's acceptance of a pragmatic approach to unification and his support for Victor Emmanuel II as the leader of a united Italy, moving away from the idea of a Republican basis for unification.

Outlines
00:00
🇮🇹 The Turning Point of Italian Unification in 1848

This paragraph discusses the pivotal events in Italy during 1848, which marked a significant turning point in the Italian unification movement. It highlights the fragmented state of Italy at the time, with foreign dominance from the Austrians in the north, the Bourbon Kingdom in the south, and the Pope's control over central Italy. The year 1848 saw three unsuccessful revolutions against these powers: a rebellion against the Austrians in the north, a Sicilian revolt against the Bourbons in the south, and an attempt to establish a Roman Republic in central Italy. Giuseppe Mazzini, a key figure in the early unification movement, played a crucial role in founding the short-lived Roman Republic. The paragraph also touches on the interventions by foreign powers, such as the French and Austrian armies, to suppress the revolutions and maintain the status quo. Garibaldi's realization that romantic nationalism was ineffective and his subsequent embrace of pragmatic nationalism are also mentioned, setting the stage for the eventual unification of Italy under a conservative monarchy rather than a republic.

05:01
🤝 Garibaldi's Pragmatic Turn and the Path to Italian Unification

In this paragraph, the focus shifts to Giuseppe Garibaldi's recognition that romantic nationalism was not effective in achieving Italian unification. He shifts towards pragmatic nationalism, which involves aligning with the conservative monarchy under Victor Emmanuel II. Garibaldi's decision to pledge his sword to Victor Emmanuel II signifies a strategic move towards unification on a more conservative basis, abandoning the ideal of a republican Italy. The paragraph concludes by noting that while the revolutions of 1848 were not successful, the idea of Italian unification remained strong and would eventually be realized through a different approach, hinting at the future role of 'blood and iron' politics in the unification process.

Mindmap
Keywords
đź’ˇItalian Unification
Italian Unification refers to the historical process in the 19th century that led to the formation of a single, unified Italian state from various independent kingdoms, regions, and territories. In the video, this concept is central as it discusses the revolutions of 1848 as pivotal moments in this unification movement, highlighting the efforts and setbacks in establishing a united Italy.
đź’ˇRevolution of 1848
The Revolutions of 1848 were a series of political upheavals throughout Europe in that year. In Italy, these revolutions were characterized by three unsuccessful attempts to overthrow foreign domination and establish a unified Italian state. The video specifically discusses these revolutions as they pertain to Italy's struggle for unification.
đź’ˇForeign Dominance
Foreign dominance refers to the control or influence of foreign powers over a country or region. In the context of the video, it describes the situation in Italy prior to unification, where different parts of Italy were under the rule of the Austrians, the Bourbons, and the Pope, hindering the efforts towards Italian nationalism and unification.
đź’ˇGiuseppe Mazzini
Giuseppe Mazzini was an Italian nationalist and a prominent figure in the early Italian unification movement. Known for his romantic nationalism, he was instrumental in founding the Roman Republic in 1849. The video highlights Mazzini's role and his belief in a united Italy, which was a driving force behind the revolutionary efforts of 1848.
đź’ˇRoman Republic (1849)
The Roman Republic of 1849 was a short-lived government established in Rome following the revolution against the Papal States. It represented a key moment in the Italian unification process, embodying the spirit of republican nationalism. However, it was eventually suppressed by foreign intervention. The video describes the creation and the short duration of this republic, symbolizing the challenges faced by Italian nationalists.
đź’ˇItalian Tricolour
The Italian Tricolour is the national flag of Italy, featuring three vertical stripes of green, white, and red. In the video, it is mentioned as a symbol of support for republican nationalism, akin to the flag of Hungary which also uses a tricolour to represent its revolutionary efforts during the same period.
đź’ˇGaribaldi
Garibaldi, often referred to as the 'sword of Italian unification,' was a key figure in the later stages of the unification process. Initially a supporter of a republican Italy, he eventually embraced a more pragmatic approach, aligning with the monarchy under Victor Emmanuel II. The video discusses Garibaldi's evolution from romantic to pragmatic nationalism and his eventual role in the unification under a conservative monarchy.
đź’ˇCounter-Revolution
Counter-revolution refers to the efforts made by conservative forces to reverse or suppress revolutionary changes. In the video, it is exemplified by the interventions of foreign armies—Austrian, French, and Bourbon—to quell the revolutionary movements in Italy, ultimately leading to the failure of the Roman Republic and the preservation of the status quo ante.
đź’ˇPragmatic Nationalism
Pragmatic nationalism is a form of nationalism that prioritizes practical and achievable goals over idealistic or romantic visions. In the context of the video, this concept is illustrated by Garibaldi's shift from supporting a republican Italy to accepting a monarchy under Victor Emmanuel II as a more feasible path to unification. This pragmatic approach eventually contributed to the successful unification of Italy.
đź’ˇVictor Emmanuel II
Victor Emmanuel II was the King of Sardinia and later became the first King of Italy, playing a crucial role in the Italian unification process. In the video, his significance lies in his eventual acceptance by Garibaldi and other nationalists as the monarch under whom a unified Italy would be established, marking a departure from the initial republican ideals.
Highlights

The lecture focuses on the Italian unification movement during the revolutions of 1848.

Italy in 1848 was fragmented and under foreign dominance, with the Austrians in the north, the Bourbon Kingdom in the south, and the Pope controlling central Italy.

The Italian unification movement faced three unsuccessful revolutions against Austrian, Bourbon, and Papal rule in 1848.

Giuseppe Mazzini was a key figure in the early Italian unification movement and played a role in founding the Roman Republic in 1849.

The Roman Republic was short-lived, as it faced opposition from the Pope and foreign powers.

The Italian tricolour represents Republican nationalism, similar to the flag of Hungary during the 1848 revolutions.

Giuseppe Garibaldi, known as the sword of Italian unification, was the commander of the Italian Legion at the time.

The Pope left Rome and called for help from Catholic countries to re-establish control over the Papal States.

Foreign intervention from the French and Austrian armies, as well as the Bourbons, led to the suppression of the Roman Republic and other Italian revolutions.

Garibaldi's famous farewell to Rome signifies the temporary setback but enduring spirit of Italian nationalism.

The Italian revolution of 1848 failed, but the movement for Italian unification would ultimately succeed through pragmatic nationalism.

Garibaldi's shift from romantic to pragmatic nationalism involved his support for Victor Emmanuel II as the king of a united Italy.

Italian unification would not be based on a republican model but rather on a conservative monarchical system.

The lecture series will continue with a discussion on Britain and Russia, countries that did not experience revolutions like the others in 1848.

The reasons for the lack of revolution in Britain and Russia will be explored in the upcoming segments.

The lecture emphasizes the resilience of nationalism and its ability to persist despite temporary setbacks.

The Italian unification movement serves as an example of the transition from idealistic to practical approaches in achieving national goals.

Transcripts
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