Napoleonic Rule and Italian Nationalism

There were a number of consequences of Napoleonic rule that bolstered the cause of Italian nationalism for some, and reduced it for others. The consequential events ultimately helped that jumble of duchies, kingdoms and other states, to lead themselves into the unified Italy we know today. Had it not been for the French occupation of Italy, Italian nationalism would have been profoundly different.

First and foremost, although it had been governed by a foreign power, much of northern Italy was a single state during Napoleonic rule. The system had been fairer and more just. There had been no torture, everyone was equal in the eyes of the law and more than anything, it was efficient and clear. Even after the restoration of the old order of things, the Napoleonic laws and methods lingered, not totally destroyed.

Another important consequence was the creation of the secret societies. Although initially created for resistance against French occupation, now the societies turned their attention to deposing the new restored kingdoms. The Carbonari (“charcol burners” were a revolutionary group who wanted a liberal, unified Italy.) in particular wanted to reject absolutist governments and protect the rights of the people.  After 1815 these societies kept the flame of political reform burning, trying to get their way.

In the Treaty of Vienna in 1815, Metternicht, a powerful Austrian statesman, attempted, in the treaty, to restore the old order, and stop the nationalists in Europe. There was less of a clamour for a united Italy than there was at the start of the century. With the Treaty of Vienna and the restoration of the pre-Napoleonic kingdoms, the hopes of the nationalists were crushed.

Napoleon also sold all of the church’s land, and mainly the middle classes bought it. From the land they profited immensely. As the middle classes were to be vital for a united Italy, the creation of their wealth from this sale was certainly a major factor in Italian Nationalism. Indeed, several key figures who were paramount in the creation of a united Italy, gained their fortunes from the papal land.

In my opinion, the most important consequence of Napoleonic rule for the cause of Italian nationalism was the formation of the secret societies. However, I believe that the Vienna settlement, and the heavy influence of the anti-liberal and anti-nationalist Austrians caused Italian nationalism to be set back somewhat. The ruling classes, and indeed the masses, had no desire to be in a united Italy. When they had been in the “kingdom of Italy” there had been high taxation, due to the war. Many “Italians” associated themselves with their locality, not country.

Overall, the treaties following Napoleonic rule set back the cause of Italian nationalism. The people didn’t want it. The leaders certainly didn’t want it, for who would be the leader? Italy had in many ways taken a step backwards from the French regime, no longer having a fair constitution or government, many absolutist kingdoms returned. The people longed for revolution and an end to absolutist monarchy, rather than for nationalism, or a united Italy.