The Beginning of the Unification of Italy as Told by One Tree Hill

Italy had not been unified for much of its history.

 If you recall, competitive city-states in the north dominated the culture and economy.

 

Said the South who suffered from economic inequality. 

This disunity allowed intimating powers to invade the country.

Yes, Nathan Scott, seriously 

 Austria, under the guidance of Metternich, seized Lombardy and Venetia, powerful areas in the northern part of Italy. 

Metternich's heart longed for power, I presume.

Sardinia and Piedmont were ruled by an Italian monarch, Victor Emmanuel.

asked Victor Emmanuel rhetorically. 

Tuscany dominated the North West. 

"Yes",  said the Tuscans, "We control Florence!"

The papacy ruled Central Italy and Rome and was considered to be its own political 

entity. 

Said the Church to the rest of Italy. 

Naples and Sicily were ruled by a branch of French Bourbon monarchs.

Said the Bourbons, watching France industrialize, while Italy farmed. 

But by this point, the Italian people sought unification.

 First, Giuseppe Mazzini supported a centralized democratic republic based on universal male suffrage and the will of the people. 

Said everyone to the radical Mazzini.

Responded Mazzini. 

Second,Vincenzo Gilberti, a catholic priest, supported a government in which the existing states were unified under the presidency of a "progressive" pope. 

Said the Church remembering the good old days when they held all the power. 

Third, some wanted a kingdom under the leadership of Sardinia-Piedmont king, Victor Emmanuel, which came to be once Mazzini's idea was crushed. 

Said Victor Emmanuel. 

He attempted to establish a new constitution in which Italy was united. 

Just like Lucas and Nathan! 

But it wasn't very strong as the Church refused to join. 

Said Victor Emmanuel. 

 I'll leave you with this cliff hanger. Tune in to the next blog post to discover what happens next on Italy's road to unification. Will Victor Emmanuel find success or, at least, a good therapist? Will Italy ever truly get together? Find out next week! 
* Spoiler alert: it may involve a guy named Cavour. *