Italy 1870

Rome still remained under the authority of the Popes. French troops had been called in to restore order and hamper the nationalist, secularist revolutionaries. In 1867, Garibaldi failed to take the city by force.

By July 1870, the Pope was in the middle of the First Vatican Council. This was an unprecedented moment, because the Catholic Church hadn't convened like that since the long ago days of the Counter Reformation, when the 'evil' Protestants were spreading their 'heresy'. Though they decided many things, their main conclusion was the doctrine of Papal infallibility. What this means is that when the Pope sits on his throne, puts on his hat and speaks, whatever he says is true.

While these events were going on in Rome, war broke out between Prussia and France. The French force in Rome was withdrawn to fight the Prussians. Not long after, disaster occurred for the French at the Battle of Sedan. No longer fearful of French reprisals, the Italian army marched toward Rome.

By September, the Italians had Rome surrounded. On the 20th of September, the Italian army (led by the Bersaglieri) entered Rome by force. The next day the Vatican was occupied because the Pope refused to surrender his claims to other parts of the city.

With Rome added, Italy had a center and a history. The Kingdom of Italy could now claim the glory that was the Imperial Roman Empire.

Still though, some were not satisfied. The territories of Trento and Trieste still remained in Austrian hands. Not until after 1919 would they be added to Italy.

With the Kingdom of Italy unified came the much more difficult task of making Italians from the diverse range of cultures on the peninsula.

Risorgimento

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1858 [link]
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1870

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2/19/12 EDIT:
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