Cavour and Garibaldi 1860
A Study in Political Conflict

An important study of the Risorgimento. devoted to seven crucial months in 1860.

Denis Mack Smith (Author)

9780521316378, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 18 April 1985

480 pages
22.8 x 15.2 x 3.2 cm, 0.763 kg

First published in 1954, and now re-issued with a fresh preface, Cavour and Garibaldi remains the single most important contribution yet made by an English-speaking historian to the study of the Risorgimento. Devoted to seven crucial months in 1860, the work examines in detail the sequence of events between the Sicilian rebellion in April, and the absorption of all the south into the Italian kingdom of Victor Emmanuel in November. It shows, in the contrasting priorities of the two great leaders, the creative tensions that underlay the movement for Italian unification. Against Cavour's desire to extend to the rest of the peninsula the benefits of Piedmontese liberalism, the author juxtaposes Garibaldi's dream of a united Italy, achieved if necessary by force. The diplomat and political strategist is compared with the soldier and popular hero, and in the comparison it is Garibaldi who emerges as the realist, and Cavour as the inspired but dogmatic muddler.

Preface
Abbreviations
Introduction
1. Political opinions in Sicily: April–June 1860
2. Cavour and the diplomats: April–June
3. La Farina and Crispi: June
4. Arguments for and against annexation
5. Arguments over ways and means
6. Crispi loses the first round: June
7. Cavour loses the second round: July
8. Cavour adjusts his policy: July
9. Depretis begins his prodictatorship: July
10. Cavour plans a revolt at Naples: July
11. Cavour fails at Naples: August
12. Political differences in Sicily: August
13. Cavour forces Depretis to a choice: 1–8 September
14. Depretis fails to persuade Garibaldi: 8–14 September
15. Garibaldi succeeds at Naples: 1–15 September
16. Cavour breaks with Garibaldi: September
17. The radicals at bay: September
18. Mordini the new prodictator: 17–25 September
19. Further controversy over annexation: September–October
20. Mordini summons an assembly: 5 October
21. Pallavicino fights for a plebiscite: 8 October
22. Parliament supports Cavour: October
23. Mordini changes his mind: 9–13 October
24. Garibaldi makes his decision: 9–13 October
25. The plebiscite in Sicily: October
26. The doubtful significance of the vote: October–November
27. Cavour's government in the south: November–December
28. Conclusion
Index
Map.

Subject Areas: Modern history to 20th century: c 1700 to c 1900 [HBLL], European history [HBJD]