Giuseppe Garibaldi was a pivotal figure in the unification of Italy in the 19th century. Born on July 4, 1807, in Nice, which was then part of the French Empire but later became part of Italy, Garibaldi is often referred to as the "Hero of Two Worlds" due to his military exploits in both South America and Europe.
Garibaldi was born into a family of modest means. His father was a fisherman, which influenced Garibaldi's early maritime adventures. He initially pursued a career in the merchant navy, where he developed skills in seamanship and navigation. His political awakening came during his service in the Austro-Hungarian Empire's merchant navy, where he became involved with the Carbonari, a secret society aimed at Italian unification and resistance against foreign domination.
In 1834, Garibaldi was sentenced to death in absentia for his part in a failed insurrection against the Kingdom of Sardinia. He fled to South America, where he joined forces with revolutionaries in Brazil and Uruguay. His leadership in the Uruguayan Civil War earned him the nickname "the General." He returned to Italy in 1848 to participate in the First Italian War of Independence but was defeated.
However, his most famous contribution to Italian unification came during the Expedition of the Thousand in 1860. Garibaldi led a volunteer army to conquer Sicily and Naples, both under the control of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. His success in these campaigns was crucial in the eventual unification of Italy under King Victor Emmanuel II.
Garibaldi was a proponent of Republicanism and had visions of a unified Italy that was democratic and free from foreign influence. However, his political ambitions were often at odds with the House of Savoy, who preferred a monarchy. Despite this, Garibaldi eventually accepted the monarchy for the sake of Italian unity, though he continued to advocate for more democratic reforms.
In his later years, Garibaldi remained active in politics, serving in the Italian Parliament and engaging in various conflicts, including the Franco-Prussian War where he supported France against Prussia. He passed away on June 2, 1882, on his farm on Caprera Island.
Garibaldi's legacy is immense in Italy. He is celebrated for his role in the Risorgimento, the movement for Italian unification. His image and name have been used in various contexts, from military units to public spaces, and he remains an icon of Italian patriotism and courage.