L'Unità d'Italia (Italian Unification) was a transformative period from 1848 to 1871 that unified the Italian peninsula into a single nation. This complex process involved key figures like Giuseppe Garibaldi and Count Cavour, culminating in the creation of the Kingdom of Italy.
- The unification movement began with patriotic ideals and secret societies in the early 1800s
- Giuseppe Mazzini established the Young Italy movement in 1830, advocating for a unified republican state
- The Spedizione dei Mille (Expedition of the Thousand) led by Garibaldi in 1860 was crucial in conquering the South
- The process completed in 1871 with Rome becoming the capital
- The unification required three wars of independence and numerous uprisings