Obstacles to the unification of Italy

Foreign Influence

The Papacy

Economic and cultural division

The Italians themselves

Lack of Power

Austria

France

Vienna Settlement re-established the position of Austria-Hungary

Got Lombardy and Venetia

Had family ties with the Three Central Duchies

Unity can only be achieved by overthrowing the Austrian Power

Posed as the protector of the Papal States

French force stationed in Rome from 1848-1870

Might favor the idea of unification but then changed his mind

Pope -- had support of the Catholic Church across Western Europe

Became a barrier to unification

Any action and attempt to limit his territorial power would arouse hostility in many parts of Europe

Italian states were loosely connected

Transport was still very primitive

No economic bond between the south and the north

North: touched by industrialization

South: remained very backward

Divided into a number of city-states since the downfall of the Roman Empire

Provincial loyalty was stronger than the sense of national unity

Difference between northern and southern people

Northern: begin to acquire wealth from industry and trade

South: remained poor and agriculture

Needed leadership and strength for unification

No state was powerful enough to take the lead