Garibaldi played a leading role in the unification of Italy. In 1833 he joined Giuseppe Mazzini's Young Italy, a political society devoted to ending foreign domination of Italy and unifying it as a republic. Entering the Sardinian navy, Garibaldi became involved in an unsuccessful plot against the king and had to flee to South America. There he fought with Brazilian rebels and then in the Uruguayan civil war.
When revolution swept over Europe in 1848, Garibaldi returned to fight for Sardinia against Austria. After Sardinia's defeat he joined Mazzini in Rome, where in 1849 they set up the short-lived Roman republic. Driven out by French troops after weeks of heroic resistance, Garibaldi was again forced to flee Italy. He took refuge in the United States and worked as a candlemaker in New York City.
Garibaldi returned to Italy in 1854, and five years later he fought in Sardinia against the Austrians. In 1860, with only 1,000 volunteers, the famous red shirts, he led a daring campaign, conquering the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. Garibaldi was proclaimed dictator of the conquered territories, which constituted the southern half of Italy. He soon turned over his command to the King of Sardinia, Víctor Emmanuel II, and worked to unify Italy. On March 17, 1861, Víctor Emmanuel was proclaimed Italy's king.
Veneto and Rome still remained outside the kingdom. In 1862, Garibaldi organized an expedition against Rome, but he was defeated at Aspromona.
In 1866 he participated in the Austro-Prussian War, which resulted in Italy's annexation of Veneto. Garibaldi again tried to capture Rome in 1867, but he was defeated by the French at Mentana. His last militar venture was in the Franco-Prussian War in 1870 and 1871, when he led a group of French and Italian volunteers.
Giuseppe Garibaldi
