The Italian Risorgimento (Seminar Studies) - Softcover

Clark, Martin

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1408205165 ISBN 13: 9781408205167

Publisher: Routledge, 2009

Synopsis

The Unification of Italy in the nineteenth century was the unlikely result of a lengthy and complex process of Italian revival (Risorgimento). Few Italians supported Unification and the new rulers of Italy were unable to resolve their disputes with the Catholic Church, the local power-holders in the South and the peasantry. In this fascinating account, Martin Clark examines these problems and considers:

· The economic, social and religious contexts of Unification, as well as the diplomatic and military aspects

· The roles of Cavour and Garibaldi and also the wider European influences, particularly those of Britain and France

· The recent historiographical shift away from uncritical celebration of the achievement of Italian unity.

Did 'Italian Unification' mean anything more than traditional Piedmontese expansionism? Was it simply an aspect of European 'secularisation'? Did it involve 'state-building', or just repression? In exploring these questions and more, Martin Clark offers the ideal introductory account for anyone wishing to understand how modern Italy was born.

This new edition has been revised in the light of recent research and now has a greater emphasis on the losers of the conflict, the impact of Unification on the South, and the complexity of the political realities of the times. It has also been updated with useful additional material such as a Whos Who and a plate section to go alongside its carefully chosen selection of original documents.

About this title

About the Author

Martin Clark was formerly Reader in the Department of Politics, University of Edinburgh. Previous books published by Longman include Modern Italy (3rd ed., 2008) and Mussolini (2005).

From the Back Cover

The Unification of Italy in the nineteenth century was the unlikely result of a lengthy and complex process of Italian ‘revival’ (‘Risorgimento’). Few Italians supported Unification and the new rulers of Italy were unable to resolve their disputes with the Catholic Church, the local power-holders in the South and the peasantry. In this fascinating account, Martin Clark examines these problems and considers:

 

·        The economic, social and religious contexts of Unification, as well as the diplomatic and military aspects

·        The roles of Cavour and Garibaldi and also the wider European influences, particularly those of Britain and France

·        The recent historiographical shift away from uncritical celebration of the achievement of Italian unity.

 

Did 'Italian Unification' mean anything more than traditional Piedmontese expansionism? Was it simply an aspect of European 'secularisation'? Did it involve 'state-building', or just repression? In exploring these questions and more, Martin Clark offers the ideal introductory account for anyone wishing to understand how modern Italy was born.  

 

This new edition has been revised in the light of recent research and now has a greater emphasis on the ‘losers’ of the conflict, the impact of Unification on the South, and the complexity of the political realities of the times. It has also been updated with useful additional material such as a Who’s Who and a plate section to go alongside its carefully chosen selection of original documents.  

 

Martin Clark was formerly Reader in the Department of Politics, University of Edinburgh. Previous books published by Longman include Modern Italy (3rd ed., 2008) and Mussolini (2005).

 

Edition details

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2009
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1408205165
• ISBN 13: 9781408205167
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 176