The Unification of Italy and Germany

Introduction

• Nationalism in the 1800s inspired democratic governments in Europe and revolts in Latin America.
• It unified people with common culture and ancestry.
• Italy and Germany were fragmented into smaller states but shared language, culture, history, and religion.

Italian Unification

• Post-Congress of Vienna: The Italian Peninsula remained divided.
  • Largest region: Kingdom of the Two Sicilies (southern Italy).
  • Formed from the Kingdom of Sicily and the Kingdom of Naples.
• Kingdom of Sardinia (North):
  • Under Spanish and French control previously.
  • 1852: Count Cavour became Prime Minister.
  • Used negotiation and conflict to unify Italy.
  • Allied with France against Austria.
• Southern Italy:
  • Led by Giuseppe Garibaldi and the Red Shirts.
  • Captured Sicily and mainland, united with Piedmont-Sardinia.
  • Power handed to Victor Emmanuel II of Sardinia.
  • Venetia and the Papal States joined; Rome became capital.

German Unification

• Over 30 states formed the German Confederation.
• Prussia's Role:
  • Dominated by Austrian Empire but led by Prussia.
  • 1862: King Wilhelm I appointed Otto von Bismarck as Prime Minister.
  • Bismarck's realpolitik: practical politics over ideals.
  • "Not speeches, but blood and iron" to decide issues.
• Wars of Unification:
  • Seven Weeks War with Austria: Prussia gained territory.
  • Franco-Prussian War (1870): Unified German states.
  • Wilhelm I crowned Kaiser of the Second Reich.

Conclusion

• Italy and Germany became unified, powerful forces in Europe.
• Their unification was driven by nationalist sentiments and strategic political maneuvers.