The Italian Unification

In 18th century, liberal ideas spread trough out Italy. There were some obstacles to unify Italy: the Austrian occupation, sovereignty of the pope, and the existence of already independent states.
Giuseppe Mazzini spread the revolutionary idea. The Papal States, Lucca, Tuscany, and Sardinia tried to abolish these movements.
The first revolution took place in Sicily. The king of Sardinia sent his army to Lombardy when the pope Pius IX had to escape from Rome and the republic was proclaimed.
Giuseppe Garibaldi led the revolution but couldn’t stop the destruction of Rome by the French (1849).
Camillo di Cavour, prime minister of Sardinia, persuaded napoleon to plan a war against Austria (1852). The Piedmontese battled Austria, and won with French help.
The Austrians gave Lombardy to Napoleon II, which later transferred it to Victor Emmanuel (1859). In the elections of 1860 all northern states, but Venetia joined Sardinia.
After the defeat of Austria by the Prussian, Venice was given back to Italy, for its help. In 1870 French troops withdrew from Rome, and the Italian troops moved into it. Rome voted for its union to Italy in 1870; and in 1871 it became the capital of the country.