The Unification of Italy: Rome's Pivotal Moment
An in-depth analysis of the 1870 capture of Rome, detailing its historical context, military execution, and profound impact on the formation of modern Italy.
Historical Context 📜 The Military Action ⚔️Dive in with Flashcard Learning!
🎮 Play the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge Game🎮
Historical Context
The Risorgimento Imperative
The mid-19th century witnessed the fervent drive for Italian unification, known as the Risorgimento. By 1861, the Kingdom of Italy was proclaimed, but its territorial integrity remained incomplete. Key regions, notably Rome and Veneto, were still outside the nascent nation's control. Rome, the historical heart of Italy and the seat of the Papacy, was particularly crucial for the symbolic and political completion of unification. However, its governance was maintained by the Papal States, supported by a French military garrison under Emperor Napoleon III.
The Papal States and Temporal Power
For centuries, the Holy See wielded not only spiritual authority but also temporal power, governing a significant territory in central Italy. This temporal power was seen by Pope Pius IX as essential for the Church's independence and spiritual mission. The Kingdom of Italy, however, viewed the continued existence of the Papal States as an obstacle to national unity, advocating for a secular state where the Church operated freely within its spiritual domain, a principle articulated by Count Cavour as "a free Church in a free State."
French Influence and Shifting Alliances
The presence of French troops in Rome was a critical factor. While France supported the Papacy, its strategic interests were complex. The Second Italian War of Independence in 1859 saw Italian territories annexed by Sardinia, and Giuseppe Garibaldi's subsequent campaigns further expanded Italian control. The Franco-Prussian War, declared in July 1870, dramatically altered the geopolitical landscape. France's need to defend its own territory led Napoleon III to withdraw the garrison from Rome, creating a critical window of opportunity for Italy.
Prelude to the Breach
Diplomatic Overtures and Papal Resolve
Following the withdrawal of French forces, the Italian government, led by Prime Minister Giovanni Lanza, sought a peaceful resolution. King Victor Emmanuel II dispatched Count Gustavo Ponza di San Martino to Pope Pius IX with a proposal for Rome's entry into the Kingdom of Italy. The terms offered significant autonomy to the Papacy, including sovereignty over the Leonine City, guarantees for the Pope's inviolability and freedom of communication, and financial support. However, Pope Pius IX vehemently rejected these overtures, famously declaring that Italy would never enter Rome.
Military Mobilization and Final Ultimatum
Despite the diplomatic impasse, Italian forces under General Raffaele Cadorna advanced into the Papal States, securing key locations. Cadorna issued a final ultimatum to the Papal commander in Rome, General Hermann Kanzler, urging a peaceful surrender to avoid bloodshed. Kanzler, bound by the Pope's directive, refused, holding the Italian government responsible for any ensuing casualties. The Papal forces, though outnumbered, were prepared to defend the city, comprising Swiss Guards, the Palatine Guard, and Papal Zouaves, many of whom were foreign volunteers.
The Capture of Rome
Breaching the Aurelian Walls
On the morning of September 20, 1870, Italian artillery commenced bombardment of Rome's ancient Aurelian Walls. The assault focused on a section near Porta Pia. Despite a brief and symbolic resistance from the Papal forces, the Italian army, numbering around 50,000 against approximately 13,000 defenders, successfully breached the walls within hours. The Italian troops, including the elite Bersaglieri, entered the city, effectively ending Papal temporal rule.
Capitulation and Casualties
The engagement resulted in casualties on both sides, though significantly fewer than might have been expected given the disparity in forces and the symbolic nature of the resistance. Official figures indicate around 49 Italian soldiers and 19 Papal soldiers were killed, with numerous wounded. General Kanzler formally signed the Act of Capitulation at Villa Albani, surrendering Rome, except for the Leonine City, which was reserved for the Pope. The Papal army was subsequently disbanded, with foreign soldiers repatriated.
Immediate Consequences
The Plebiscite and Annexation
To legitimize the annexation, a plebiscite was held in Rome on October 2, 1870. The results showed an overwhelming majority in favor of union with the Kingdom of Italy, with over 133,000 votes for annexation and only 1,507 against. This outcome was formally recognized by a royal decree on October 9, confirming Rome and Lazio's incorporation into Italy. However, Pope Pius IX denounced the plebiscite and the manner of Rome's seizure, issuing the encyclical Respicientes which declared excommunication for those involved in the occupation, including King Victor Emmanuel II.
The Roman Question and the Law of Guarantees
The capture of Rome created the "Roman Question"—the unresolved conflict between the Italian state and the Papacy. The Italian Parliament passed the Law of Guarantees in May 1871, offering the Pope extensive privileges, including diplomatic immunity, freedom of communication, and an annual stipend. Despite these provisions, Pius IX refused to recognize the legitimacy of the Italian state, confining himself to the Vatican and declaring himself a "prisoner in the Vatican." This standoff persisted for decades.
Enduring Legacy
Resolving the Roman Question
The protracted dispute between the Italian state and the Holy See, the Roman Question, was finally resolved in 1929 with the signing of the Lateran Pacts. These agreements recognized Vatican City as an independent sovereign state and established a framework for relations between Italy and the Holy See. Subsequent revisions to the concordat in 1984 removed Catholicism's status as the sole state religion of Italy, reflecting a changing societal landscape.
Rome as Capital
The capture of Rome marked the definitive completion of Italian unification, establishing Rome as the nation's capital. This event fundamentally reshaped the political map of Italy and had profound implications for the role of the Papacy in the modern world. Streets across Italy, particularly in Rome, are still named "Via XX Settembre" to commemorate this pivotal date in Italian history.
Related Topics
Further Exploration
To deepen your understanding of this period and its broader context, consider exploring the following related subjects:
Citations
Source References
The following citations are used throughout this document to attribute specific information to its original source:
- ^ a b c "Cirkevn\u00e9 dejiny / Pred 150 rokmi sa skon\u010dila svetsk\u00e1 moc p\u00e1pe\u017eov".
- ^ a b c Bartolini 2020, p. 311.
- ^ Bartolini 2020, p. 334.
- ^ Schapiro 1922, p. 208.
- ^ a b Schapiro 1922, p. 218.
- ^ a b Kertzer 2006, p. 7.
- ^ Field 2012, p. 54.
- ^ a b Kertzer 2006, p. 51.
- ^ a b Kertzer 2006, p. 44.
- ^ a b c d Kertzer 2006, p. 45.
- ^ These words are derived from the Biblical Book of Amos 7:14.
- ^ de Cesare 1909, p. 444.
- ^ Kertzer 2006, p. 48.
- ^ Rendina 2000, p. 985.
- ^ Kertzer 2006, pp. 51–52.
- ^ a b Kertzer 2006, p. 52.
- ^ "Vaticano, la bandiera di Porta Pia ritorna dopo 141 anni". La Stampa. 29 September 2011.
- ^ a b Kertzer 2006, p. 53.
- ^ De Cesare, 1909, p. 443
- ^ a b c Kertzer 2006, p. 55.
- ^ a b Kertzer 2006, p. 56.
- ^ Kertzer 2006, pp. 55–56.
- ^ Alvarez, David (9 May 2011). The Pope's Soldiers. University Press of Kansas. p. 248. ISBN 978-0-7006-1770-8.
- ^ a b Kertzer 2006, p. 57.
- ^ Coppa 2014, p. 142.
- ^ a b c d e f g Coppa 2014, p. 143.
- ^ Kertzer 2006, pp. 57–58.
- ^ Kertzer 2006, p. 58.
- ^ Bartolini 2020, p. 324.
- ^ a b Kertzer 2006, p. 60.
- ^ "Respicientes - Papal Encyclicals". 1 November 1870.
- ^ a b Coppa 2014, p. 145.
- ^ Kertzer 2006, p. 3.
- ^ "Vatican City turns 91". Vatican News. 11 February 2020.
- ^ "Patti lateranensi, 11 febbraio 1929 – Segreteria di Stato, card. Pietro Gasparri". www.vatican.va.
- ^ Constitution of Italy, article 7.
- ^ "Agreement between the Italian Republic and the Holy See (English translation)" (PDF). The American Society of International Law. Archived from the original on 22 September 2020.
References
Bibliographic Sources
- Bartolini, Giulio (2020). Bartolini, Giulio (ed.). A History of International Law in Italy. The History and Theory of International Law. Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-884293-4. OCLC 1144092638.
- de Cesare, Raffaele (1909). The Last Days of Papal Rome, 1850-1870. Translated by Zimmern, Helen. London: A. Constable & Co.
- Coppa, Frank J. (2014) [1992]. The Origins of the Italian Wars of Independence. Origins of modern wars. London: Longman. ISBN 978-0-582-04045-8.
- Field, Ron (2012). Garibaldi. Command Series. London: Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84908-322-5.
- Kertzer, David I. (2006). Prisoner of the Vatican: The Popes, the Kings, and Garibaldi's Rebels in the Struggle to Rule Modern Italy. Boston: HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN 978-0-618-61919-1.
- Rendina, Claudio (2000). Rendina, Claudio (ed.). La Grande Enciclopedia di Roma: Personaggi, Curiosità, Monumenti, Storia, Arte e Folclore della Città Eterna dalle Origini al Duemila. Quest'Italia (in Italian). Roma: Newton & Compton. ISBN 978-88-8289-316-3.
- Schapiro, J. Salwyn (1922). Shotwell, James T. (ed.). Modern and Contemporary European History (1815-1921). Boston; New York; Chicago: Houghton Mifflin Company.
External Resources
Further Reading and Media
Explore these external resources for additional context and perspectives on the Capture of Rome:
Teacher's Corner
Edit and Print this course in the Wiki2Web Teacher Studio

Click here to open the "Capture Of Rome" Wiki2Web Studio curriculum kit
Use the free Wiki2web Studio to generate printable flashcards, worksheets, exams, and export your materials as a web page or an interactive game.
True or False?
Test Your Knowledge!
Gamer's Corner
Are you ready for the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge?
Unlock the mystery image and prove your knowledge by earning trophies. This simple game is addictively fun and is a great way to learn!
Play now
References
References
- Constitution of Italy, article 7.
Feedback & Support
To report an issue with this page, or to find out ways to support the mission, please click here.
Academic Disclaimer
Important Notice Regarding Content
This document has been generated by an Artificial Intelligence, drawing upon publicly available data from Wikipedia. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and adherence to the source material, it is intended for educational and informational purposes only. The content reflects a specific point in time and may not encompass all nuances or subsequent historical interpretations.
This is not a substitute for scholarly research or professional historical consultation. Readers are encouraged to consult primary sources, peer-reviewed academic works, and expert analyses for a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter. The creators of this page are not liable for any inaccuracies, omissions, or actions taken based on the information presented herein.