"We ardently wish to free Italy from foreign rule. We agree that we must put aside all petty differences in order to gain this most important goal. We wish to drive out the foreigners not only because we want to see our country powerful and glorious, but also because we want to elevate the Italian people in intelligence and moral development." — Count Camillo di Cavour, 1852
What happened that led to the situation/topic in the document?
The situation referenced in the document is the foreign rule and domination of Italy by various foreign powers, including Austria, France, and Spain, during the 19th century. Italy was fragmented into numerous independent states, and there was a strong desire among many Italians for national unity and independence. This desire for unification and independence ultimately led to the Italian unification movement, known as the Risorgimento, which aimed to unify Italy and expel foreign powers from the Italian peninsula. Personalities such as Count Camillo di Cavour played a key role in this movement, working towards the liberation and unification of Italy.
