Italian Peninsula 1858

This is a map of the Italian peninsula prior to the Risorgimento, the time when Italy went from an idea to a country.

Italy had been a country before, a protectorate of Napoleonic France. But with the defeat at Waterloo, Italians, like so many other nationalities, would have to be suppressed in order to ensure European tranquillity.

Following the orders of the Congress of Vienna, the number of major powers in the peninsula was reduced to 4.

In the south was the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. Ruled from Naples this was a kingdom that largely took up space. Its citizens were poor and its cities lacked factories. Its people, inspired by the example of revolutionary France, were often in revolt against the monarchy.

In the center was the Papal States. This state had reigned over the city of Rome for centuries. Its borders hadn't changed since the Renaissance. It was at the heart of Christendom, forming the center of the Catholic Church. For centuries its ruler, the Pope, had maneuvered and conspired to prevent the unification of the peninsula. By 1858 however, its people were in revolt, attempting to establish small republics with constitutions and greater autonomy.

To the north was the Austrian Empire, the big winner now that Napoleon was defeated. They ruled directly over the territory of the Tyrol and the city of Trieste. For Milan and Venice they created the Kingdom of Lombardy. In addition there were smaller kingdoms in Tuscany, Parma and Modena. These kingdoms were ruled by members of the Austrian royal family, effectively making them part of the Austrian Empire. The people of the provinces frequently rose up in revolt against the monarchs, demanding constitutions and representative assemblies.

In the northwest west corner of the peninsula was the Kingdom of Sardinia - Piedmont. Ruled by a constitutional monarchy from the city of Turin, their state wasn't under attack from rebels and revolutionaries. Though they had failed many times before to unify the peninsula, this time would be different. With French backing, they could succeed.

Not seen on the map are the numerous rebel, revolutionary and insurgent groups who were all over the peninsula at that time. Among them was the Carbonari, a secret society dedicated to creating a unified, secular, republican Italy. Among their number was Felice Orsini, who attempted in 1858 to assassinate Napoleon the III, Emperor of the French. Orsini then wrote a letter from prison to Napoleon the III, urging him to free the Italian people. One month later Orsini was executed.

Napoleon the III was moved by Orsini's letter and came to believe that he had survived certain death because he was destined to lead France to victory and free the Italian people. He began making a secret agreement with Victor Emmanuel II, king of Sardinia - Piedmont. French armies would defeat the Austrians and make Victor king of Italy. In exchange, the territories of Nice and Savoy would be ceded to France as payment.

Risorgimento

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1858
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1861 [link]
1866 [link]
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Flags and map base courtesy of Wikipedia

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2/19/12 EDIT:
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map base created by Helix84 [link]