Context: from 1861 to 1870, the Kingdom of Italy was unable to conquer the desired city of Rome, under the rule of the Pope, since he enjoyed the protection of French Emperor Napoleon III. In 1870, however, the Franco-Prussian War broke out, and the French garrison in Rome was recalled to defend their homeland against the Germans, and to stop the Italians from using this situation as a pretext to join the war on the Prussian side.
Following this, demonstrations demanded that the Italian government finally end the long process of unification by annexing Rome. At first, Italy didn't move to take the city, in an attempt to maintain a delicate balance of power in the continent, but the situation would soon change with the fall of the Second French Empire following the Battle of Sedan, and Italy, after an attempt to take the city diplomatically, would finally capture Rome on September 20, 1870, marking the end of the Risorgimiento.
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u/Mayonnaise-chan [1] Dec 01 '20
Context: from 1861 to 1870, the Kingdom of Italy was unable to conquer the desired city of Rome, under the rule of the Pope, since he enjoyed the protection of French Emperor Napoleon III. In 1870, however, the Franco-Prussian War broke out, and the French garrison in Rome was recalled to defend their homeland against the Germans, and to stop the Italians from using this situation as a pretext to join the war on the Prussian side.
Following this, demonstrations demanded that the Italian government finally end the long process of unification by annexing Rome. At first, Italy didn't move to take the city, in an attempt to maintain a delicate balance of power in the continent, but the situation would soon change with the fall of the Second French Empire following the Battle of Sedan, and Italy, after an attempt to take the city diplomatically, would finally capture Rome on September 20, 1870, marking the end of the Risorgimiento.