Lecture Notes: Garibaldi and the Unification of Italy

Context: Rome, June 30th, 1849

• Rome under attack by French shells.
• General Giuseppe Garibaldi stands in front of his troops.
• Garibaldi is known for his distinctive attire: Sombrero and Poncho.
• Commanding the defense of Rome to create a unified, independent Italy.
• Legendary acts include smoking on the walls while under sniper fire and hosting dinner parties during artillery attacks.

Garibaldi's Address to His Troops

• Political leadership decides to surrender.
• Garibaldi refuses to surrender and plans to continue fighting guerrilla warfare in the mountains.
• Offers his troops a future of hardship: hunger, cold, forced marches, battles, and potential death.
• Invites those with true dedication to Italy to follow him.
• 4,000 troops decide to follow Garibaldi.

Historical Background

• Garibaldi learns of Italy as a concept at 26 in Constantinople.
• Italy was a fragmented region with different kingdoms, cultures, and languages.
• Dominated by powers like France and Austria.
• People were content with foreign influence as internal rivalries were stronger.

Influence of Napoleon

• Napoleon Bonaparte's campaign in Italy united Italians against him.
• Napoleon introduced modernization and Enlightenment ideas despite being an enemy.
• After Napoleon's defeat, Italy returned to divided states under foreign influence (Austria).

Garibaldi's Early Life

• Born in 1807, experienced French and then Austrian rule.
• Attended church school for education to avoid a sailor's life.

Young Italy and Mazzini

• Joins Young Italy, a secret society for Italian unification, founded by Giuseppe Mazzini.
• Participates in a failed mutiny, sentenced to death in absentia.

Exile and Adventures in South America

• Relocates to Brazil and joins the Ragamuffin War against the central government.
• Uses unconventional methods to build a navy, capturing Brazilian vessels.
• Meets Anita, a resilient and skilled woman who fights alongside him.

Garibaldi and Anita

• Anita leaves her previous marriage to join Garibaldi.
• Fights beside him in battles across South America and eventually Italy.
• Anita is pregnant with Garibaldi's child during their adventures.

Conclusion

• Garibaldi's life is a blend of romanticism, adventure, and a quest for Italian unification.
• Their story continues in the following episode.

Additional Content

• Mention of Doomlings card game.
• Doomlings is a strategic, light-hearted game with elements of fun and quick setup.
• Promotion of the game with discount offer.