The Second Italian War of Independence: The History and Legacy of the Conflict that Led to Italy's Unification

The events of 1848-1849 began to pull the peninsula together, however. In January, 1848, Sicily had a major revolution, which provoked widespread uprisings and riots, after which the kingdoms of Sardinia, the Two Sicilies, the Papal States and the Grand Duchy of Tuscany all were granted constitutions. In February, the Pope fled Rome and a three-month long Republic was declared, headed by Giuseppe Mazzini. In March, a revolution in Venice led to the declaration of a republic. In April, Mila...