Social Science (087) — CBSE Class 10 board question

Unification of Italy:

1. Role of Mazzini: Giuseppe Mazzini, born in Genoa (1805), founded Young Italy and Young Europe to spread the idea of a unified Italian republic. He believed Italy must be forged into a single unified state instead of remaining a patchwork of small kingdoms.

1. Role of Cavour: Chief Minister Cavour of Sardinia-Piedmont led the unification movement through diplomacy. He engineered a tactical alliance with France, and together they defeated Austrian forces in 1859.

1. Role of Garibaldi: Giuseppe Garibaldi led armed volunteers (Red Shirts) into South Italy and the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies in 1860, winning support of local peasants and driving out Spanish rulers.

1. Proclamation: In 1861, Victor Emmanuel II was proclaimed king of unified Italy.

1. Completion: Unification was fully completed by 1870 when the Papal States joined Italy.

Source: Chapter 1 — Nationalism in Europe, Section 4.2 (Unification of Italy)

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• Examiners expect three key figures (Mazzini, Cavour, Garibaldi) with their distinct contributions clearly separated.
• Mention the 1859 military victory, 1860 Garibaldi's march, and 1861 proclamation as key events.
• Note that the process concluded in 1870 — this detail secures full marks.
• Avoid mixing up Mazzini's ideological role with Cavour's diplomatic/military role — examiners look for this distinction.