The Last City-State to Join the Kingdom of Italy in 1870: Rome

In 1870, the Kingdom of Italy was finally united and completed with the inclusion of the city-state of Rome. This marked the end of a long process of Italian unification, also known as the Risorgimento, which aimed to bring together various regions and city-states under one centralized Italian state.

1. Background of Italian Unification
- The Italian peninsula had been divided into numerous city-states and kingdoms for centuries, making it a fragmented region.
- During the 19th century, a growing sense of nationalism and desire for independence began to spread throughout Italy.
- Italian patriots and revolutionaries advocated for the unification of Italy to create a single, sovereign nation.

2. The Role of Count Camillo di Cavour
- Count Camillo di Cavour, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Sardinia, played a crucial role in the unification process.
- Cavour believed in a gradual and diplomatic approach to unite Italy under the leadership of the Kingdom of Sardinia.
- Through his diplomatic maneuvers and alliances, Cavour was able to secure the support of powerful nations like France in his quest for Italian unification.

3. The Role of Giuseppe Garibaldi
- Giuseppe Garibaldi, an Italian general and nationalist, led a military campaign known as the Expedition of the Thousand.
- Garibaldi's campaign aimed to liberate and unify the southern regions of Italy.
- With a small army known as the Redshirts, Garibaldi successfully captured Sicily and Naples, further advancing the cause of Italian unification.

4. The Papal States and Rome
- The Papal States, which encompassed the city of Rome and its surrounding territories, were under the direct control of the Pope.
- The capture of Rome and the Papal States was a crucial step in the unification of Italy.
- However, due to the opposition of the Pope and his allies, the process was delayed.

5. The Capture of Rome in 1870
- In 1870, the Franco-Prussian War broke out, diverting the attention of France and weakening its support for the Pope's control over Rome.
- Taking advantage of the situation, Italian troops marched towards Rome and successfully captured the city on September 20, 1870.
- This marked the final step in the unification of Italy, and Rome became the capital of the Kingdom of Italy.

In conclusion, Rome was the last city-state to join the Kingdom of Italy in 1870. The unification process, led by figures like Count Cavour and Giuseppe Garibaldi, aimed to bring together various regions and city-states under one centralized Italian state. The capture of Rome in 1870 marked the completion of Italian unification and established Rome as the capital of the Kingdom of Italy.