The Unification of Italy in the nineteenth century was the unlikely
result of a lengthy and complex process of Italian revival
(Risorgimento). Few Italians supported Unification and the new rulers
of Italy were unable to resolve their disputes with the Catholic Church,
the local power-holders in the South and the peasantry. In this
fascinating account, Martin Clark examines these problems and considers:
- The economic, social and religious contexts of Unification, as well
as the diplomatic and military aspects
- The roles of Cavour and Garibaldi and also the wider European
influences, particularly those of Britain and France
- The recent historiographical shift away from uncritical celebration
of the achievement of Italian unity.
Did 'Italian Unification' mean anything more than traditional
Piedmontese expansionism? Was it simply an aspect of European
'secularisation'? Did it involve 'state-building', or just repression?
In exploring these questions and more, Martin Clark offers the ideal
introductory account for anyone wishing to understand how modern Italy
was born.
This new edition has been revised in the light of recent research and
now has a greater emphasis on the losers of the conflict, the impact of
Unification on the South, and the complexity of the political realities
of the times. It has also been updated with useful additional material
such as a Whos Who and a plate section to go alongside its carefully
chosen selection of original documents.
