Summary:

The Expedition of the Thousand, also known as the Thousand’s Expedition or the Expedition of the Red Shirts, was a military campaign led by Giuseppe Garibaldi in 1860. The goal of the expedition was to unify Italy and overthrow the Bourbon Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. Garibaldi and his volunteer army of about a thousand men successfully captured Sicily and Naples, paving the way for the unification of Italy.

Background:

In the mid-19th century, Italy was divided into several independent states, including the Kingdom of Sardinia, the Papal States, and the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. Many Italians yearned for a unified Italy, free from foreign control and regional divisions. Giuseppe Garibaldi, an Italian nationalist and military leader, was a key figure in the movement for Italian unification.

The Expedition Begins:

In May 1860, Garibaldi set sail from Genoa with a small army of volunteers, known as the “Thousand” or the “Red Shirts.” Their first target was the island of Sicily, which was under the control of the Bourbon Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. Garibaldi and his men landed in Marsala and quickly gained support from the local population.

Conquest of Sicily:

The Red Shirts marched across Sicily, winning battles and gaining support from the people. The local Sicilian militias joined forces with Garibaldi, and together they defeated the Bourbon forces in several engagements. The city of Palermo, the capital of Sicily, fell to Garibaldi’s forces in July 1860. The conquest of Sicily was a significant victory for the expedition and boosted the morale of the Italian nationalists.

March on Naples:

After securing Sicily, Garibaldi set his sights on the mainland and the city of Naples, the capital of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. The Red Shirts crossed the Strait of Messina and marched towards Naples. Along the way, they faced resistance from the Bourbon forces, but their superior tactics and popular support allowed them to overcome these obstacles.

Garibaldi’s Rule:

In September 1860, Garibaldi and his army entered Naples, and the Bourbon King Francis II fled. Garibaldi established a provisional government and ruled over Naples and the surrounding territories. However, Garibaldi’s rule was short-lived, as the Kingdom of Sardinia, led by King Victor Emmanuel II, sought to consolidate its power and take control of the unification process.

Unification of Italy:

In 1861, the Kingdom of Italy was officially proclaimed, with Victor Emmanuel II as its king. The Expedition of the Thousand played a crucial role in the unification of Italy, as it weakened the Bourbon Kingdom of the Two Sicilies and paved the way for the incorporation of southern Italy into the new nation.

Legacy:

The Expedition of the Thousand was a turning point in Italian history. It demonstrated the power of popular uprisings and guerrilla warfare in achieving political change. Garibaldi became a national hero and a symbol of Italian unity. The expedition also highlighted the importance of nationalism and the desire for self-determination among the Italian people.

In conclusion, the Expedition of the Thousand led by Giuseppe Garibaldi was a significant event in the unification of Italy. Through their successful conquest of Sicily and Naples, Garibaldi and his volunteer army played a crucial role in weakening the Bourbon Kingdom of the Two Sicilies and paving the way for the creation of the Kingdom of Italy. The expedition demonstrated the power of popular uprisings and guerrilla warfare, and Garibaldi became a national hero and symbol of Italian unity.