After the fall of Napoleon in 1815, Italy reverted to a collection of independent states, primarily under the control or influence of the Austrian Empire. The period from 1815 to 1849 saw the rise of the Risorgimento (Italian for "resurgence"), a nationalist movement demanding unity and liberal reforms
Congress of Vienna (1815): Italy was divided into many states and placed under conservative rulers, with Austria gaining strong influence in Lombardy and Venetia. This crushed hopes for unification.
Austrian dominance: Austria controlled northern Italy directly and interfered in other Italian states.
Metternich’s role: As Austrian Chancellor, Metternich became the “policeman of Europe,” suppressing revolts and using censorship and spies to crush nationalism and liberalism.
Nationalism and liberalism: Italian nationalists wanted independence from Austria and unity, while liberals sought constitutions, freedoms, and reforms.
Revolutions of 1820–21: Secret societies like the Carbonari led uprisings in Naples and Piedmont, but Austria intervened and crushed them, showing Italy’s weakness.
Revolts of 1830–31: New revolts in Modena, Parma, and the Papal States failed because of poor coordination and Austrian military intervention.
Mazzini’s impact: Giuseppe Mazzini founded Young Italy in 1831, spreading nationalist ideas and inspiring youth, though his revolts were unsuccessful.
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What was the effect of the 1848–49 revolutions?
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Note
The Congress of Vienna in 1815 was a pivotal moment in European history, particularly for Italy. After the defeat of Napoleon, European powers gathered to redraw the map of Europe and restore the old order. Italy, which had been unified under Napoleon, was once again divided into multiple states.
The Congress aimed to restore conservative monarchies and prevent future revolutions
Italy was split into eight separate states, each with its own ruler
Austria gained control over Lombardy and Venetia, two important regions in northern Italy
Analogy
Think of Italy at this time like a jigsaw puzzle that had been put together under Napoleon, only to be broken apart again by the Congress of Vienna.
Note
This division of Italy would become a major obstacle to Italian unification efforts in the following decades.
