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How important were divisions among the nationalists as an obstacle to Italian unification, 1815–52? By 1850 the forces of nationalism had grown in Italy - Scottish Highers History - Question 44 - 2018
Question 44
How important were divisions among the nationalists as an obstacle to Italian unification, 1815–52? By 1850 the forces of nationalism had grown in Italy. The revolu... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:How important were divisions among the nationalists as an obstacle to Italian unification, 1815–52? By 1850 the forces of nationalism had grown in Italy - Scottish Highers History - Question 44 - 2018
Step 1
Divisions among the nationalists
Answer
Divisions among the nationalists were a significant obstacle to Italian unification. These divisions manifested as secret societies lacking clear aims, leadership, and resources. Furthermore, moderate nationalists often clashed with more radical factions, exemplified by the conflict between figures like Mazzini and the more conservative leaders. The revolutions of 1848/49 further illustrated this disunity, showing that many nationalist leaders did not trust each other, which weakened their collective efforts. This internal fragmentation made coordinated political action against foreign domination difficult.
Step 2
Other factors
Answer
The dominant position of Austria and her dependent duchies also played a crucial role in inhibiting unification. Following the Congress of Vienna, Austria maintained stringent control over Lombardy and Venetia, suppressing any nationalist sentiments through censorship and strict military presence. The complexities of the political landscape, such as the various allegiances and distrust between different regions also hindered efforts toward unification. Social and economic disparities among the Italian states led to conflict among different nationalist groups, further complicating the path to unity.