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Although it had ruled the Mediterranean region and much of Western Europe in the days of ancient Rome, Italy had not existed as a unified nation-state since the sixth century.
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Garibaldi was considered to be the "sword" of Italian nationalism. His band of Red Shirts conquered forces opposed to unification and forced southern Italy into a cohesive political unit.
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Nationalist forces in Italy rebelled against their foreign rulers. This happened in Parma and Modena in 1831, where the uprisings were crushed, and again in 1848 with the same result.
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The most famous of Italian nationalistic leaders were Count Camilo Cavour, Guiseppe Garibaldi, and Guiseppe Mazzini. Mazzini was instrumental in being the "soul" of Italian nationalism. He also established the secret society known as Young Italy, an organization devoted to a united Italy.
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Mazzini was instrumental in being the "soul" of Italian nationalism.
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Cavour was the "brain" in his role as a skilled diplomat.
