Introduction

Relevance of the Theme

The Unification of Italy and Germany is a significant achievement in modern history that reshaped the political geography of Europe. This event marked the transition from a mosaic of duchies, principalities, and states to unified nations and had a profound impact on international relations in the 19th and 20th centuries. Their processes, leadership, and consequences are foundational for understanding the consolidation of the Nation-State system and the formation of the balance of power that led to the emergence of the current geopolitical scenario.

Contextualization

The Unification of Italy and Germany are fundamental parts of the study of Contemporary History, specifically in the theme of the 19th-century Bourgeois Revolutions. This topic is usually addressed after studying the Liberal Revolutions and the Development of Capitalism, as the role of the bourgeoisie, the emerging class at that time, is essential to understand the unification processes. These events are also connected to later studies on Imperialism and World War I, as the rivalries generated in the wake of the unifications helped shape the conflicts of the 20th century. Thus, understanding the processes of Italian and German unification is an important step in the escalation of history studies, contributing to the formation of a critical and complex view of historical events.

Theoretical Development

Components

• Pre-Unification Geopolitical Context: Italy and Germany spent most of the Modern and contemporary age divided into a series of small states. In Italy, particularly, foreign domination was common, with areas controlled by Spain, France, and Austria. Germany, on the other hand, was a mosaic of more than 300 principalities, free states, and independent cities. This scenario of political fragmentation created the conditions for the need for unification.

• Leaderships and Unifying Movements: Names like Otto von Bismarck, in Germany, and Giuseppe Garibaldi, in Italy, stand out in this process. They led movements that sought unification, using political and military strategies to achieve their goals. The importance of these leaderships and their actions are fundamental to understanding the unification events.

• Participation of the Bourgeoisie in the Unification Processes: The rise of the bourgeoisie, a social class emerging during the Industrial Revolution, played a fundamental role in the demand for unification. The bourgeoisie supported these processes in search of unified markets and protection for their economic interests.

• Conflict and Diplomacy: Although diplomacy was used at different times, the unification processes included two conflicts: the Seven Weeks' War (1866), between Prussia and Austria, and the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871), between Prussia and France. These battles not only had a direct impact on unification but also contributed to the growing nationalism that characterized the 19th century.

Key Terms

• Risorgimento: Means "Resurgence" in Italian and is the name given to the movement that led to the unification of Italy. It began in the late 18th century and culminated in the 1870s, when Italy became a nation-state.

• Realpolitik: A German term meaning "real politics" or "politics based on reality", was the guiding principle of Bismarck's political actions. It advocated that politics should be conducted based on practical considerations, not on abstract theories or ideals.

• Zollverein: German Customs Union, was an important step towards German unification. It consisted of a free trade area among the German states, eliminating tariff barriers, and establishing a unified trade policy towards other nations.

Examples and Cases

• Bismarck and German Unification: Through a series of wars and diplomatic agreements, Bismarck led Prussia in the unification of Germany. Instruments like the Zollverein and the Franco-Prussian War were decisive in the creation of the German Empire in 1871, with Prussia as its main state.

• Garibaldi and Italian Unification: Garibaldi led the "Expedition of the Thousand" in 1860, a military campaign that resulted in the conquest of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, the last major foreign fiefdom on the Italian peninsula. This event helped consolidate Italian unification, which was formally proclaimed in 1871.

• Role of the Bourgeoisie in Unification: The bourgeoisie, the emerging class during the Industrial Revolution, played an important role in financing the unifying movements. Additionally, it sought unification as a way to expand markets and ensure the stability necessary for the development of capitalism.

• Impact of Conflicts: The Seven Weeks' War and the Franco-Prussian War had a profound impact on unification. The first weakened Austria, the main obstacle to German unification led by Prussia, while the second resulted in the annexation of French territories by unified Germany.

Detailed Summary

Relevant Points

• Political Fragmentation in Italy and Germany: The study begins with an analysis of the political situation before unification. Both Italy and Germany were divided into several states, which favored the unification process.

• Risorgimento and the Expedition of the Thousand: The Risorgimento movement, linked to the unification of Italy, and the Expedition of the Thousand led by Garibaldi are concrete examples of resistance and struggles for unification.

• Realpolitik and Zollverein: The concept of Realpolitik and the implementation of the German Customs Union (Zollverein) are key terms in German unification and illustrate the effectiveness of political strategies.

• Franco-Prussian War and Seven Weeks' War: The role of conflicts in unification - the Seven Weeks' War and the Franco-Prussian War - is fundamental to understanding how these events shaped modern Europe.

• Influence of the Bourgeoisie: The influence of the bourgeoisie, the emerging class of the Industrial Revolution, in both unification processes is an important aspect to understand the social dynamics of the period.

Conclusions

• Emergence of Nation-States: The unification of Italy and Germany marks the emergence of modern nation-states, reinforcing the idea of a nation united by a single culture, language, and territory.

• Determining Role of Leaders: The leadership of figures like Bismarck and Garibaldi were crucial in driving the unification processes, highlighting the relevance of leaders in history.

• Implications for the 20th Century: The rivalries and tensions generated in the unification processes had a direct impact on the configuration of the 20th century, culminating in events such as World War I and World War II.

Exercises

1. Describe the role of the bourgeoisie in the unification processes of Italy and Germany.

2. Explain the concept of Realpolitik and how it was applied in the unification of Germany.

3. Analyze the importance of conflicts, the Seven Weeks' War and the Franco-Prussian War, for German unification.