Giuseppe Garibaldi Biography – Italian General, Revolutionary, Republican, Italian Unification, Legacy

Giuseppe Garibaldi. Fratelli Alinari, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Giuseppe Garibaldi was an Italian general, patriot, and revolutionary who played a key role in the unification of Italy. He is often called the “Hero of the Two Worlds” because of his military campaigns in both South America and Europe.

Garibaldi is celebrated as one of Italy’s greatest national heroes, symbolizing freedom and unity.

Early Life

Giuseppe Garibaldi was born on July 4, 1807, in Nice, which was then part of France but had strong Italian ties. His father, Domenico Garibaldi, was a merchant and fisherman, while his mother, Rosa Raimondi, was deeply religious and wanted him to become a priest. However, young Garibaldi was drawn to the sea and adventure.

As a teenager, Garibaldi trained as a sailor and became a merchant ship captain. His experiences at sea exposed him to different cultures and revolutionary ideas.

While traveling, he became aware of the political struggles in Italy and was inspired by the ideas of Giuseppe Mazzini, who advocated for a unified, republican Italy. In the early 1830s, he joined Mazzini’s Young Italy movement, which sought to overthrow foreign rulers and unify Italy under a democratic government.

This period shaped Garibaldi’s military skills and ideological commitment to freedom, which he later applied in Italy’s unification struggles.

Becoming a Revolutionary

Giuseppe Garibaldi became a revolutionary through a mix of personal experiences, exposure to nationalist ideas, and direct involvement in political uprisings.

As a young sailor traveling across the Mediterranean, Garibaldi met people who shared radical and nationalist views. In 1833, while in Marseille, France, he was introduced to Giuseppe Mazzini, a political activist who founded Young Italy, a movement dedicated to unifying Italy as a republic free from foreign rule. Mazzini’s ideas about democracy, nationalism, and liberation deeply influenced Garibaldi, who soon joined the movement.

Inspired by Mazzini, Garibaldi participated in a failed uprising in Piedmont against the ruling House of Savoy. The revolt was quickly suppressed, and Garibaldi was sentenced to death in absentia by the government. To escape execution, he fled to South America, marking the beginning of his exile and guerrilla warfare experience.

Exile in South America

During his exile in South America (1836–1848), Giuseppe Garibaldi became a seasoned revolutionary by fighting in multiple conflicts that shaped his military tactics and leadership. His time in Brazil and Uruguay was crucial in developing his guerrilla warfare skills and reputation as a freedom fighter.

The Ragamuffin War (1836–1840) – Brazil

Garibaldi first joined the Ragamuffin War (Guerra dos Farrapos) in Brazil, where rebels in the Rio Grande do Sul province sought independence from the Brazilian Empire.

He commanded a small naval force for the separatists and engaged in guerrilla-style naval battles. He also captured and modified ships to be used by the rebels, demonstrating his resourcefulness. The rebellion ultimately failed, but Garibaldi gained valuable combat experience.

During this time, he met Anita Ribeiro, a Brazilian woman who became his lifelong companion and fought alongside him in battles.

The Uruguayan Civil War (1842–1848) – Uruguay

After fleeing Brazil, Garibaldi went to Uruguay, where he joined the Colorado Party in their civil war against the ruling Blanco Party, which was supported by Argentina’s dictator, Juan Manuel de Rosas.

Garibaldi recruited and led an army of Italian exiles in Montevideo, known as the “Redshirts.” He used fast, irregular warfare, striking enemy forces with mobility and surprise. He led a decisive victory against the pro-Argentine forces, solidifying his reputation as a daring and effective leader.

During the Uruguayan conflict, Garibaldi became internationally famous as a defender of democracy and liberty, earning the nickname “Hero of the Two Worlds.”

By 1848, when revolutions spread across Europe, Garibaldi was ready to return to Italy, using his South American experience to fight for Italian unification.

The First Italian War of Independence (1848–1849)

When Giuseppe Garibaldi returned to Italy in 1848, he immediately joined the revolutions sweeping across Europe.

He offered his services to King Charles Albert of Piedmont-Sardinia, who was leading a war against Austria to free northern Italy. The Piedmontese army suffered defeats, but Garibaldi continued guerrilla warfare against Austrian forces in Lombardy.

After Piedmont’s surrender in 1849, Garibaldi shifted his focus to defending Rome.

In 1849, revolutionaries, including Giuseppe Mazzini, established the Roman Republic, overthrowing papal rule. Garibaldi and his volunteer forces helped defend Rome against French troops, who were sent to restore Pope Pius IX. Despite his brilliant defense, Rome fell in June 1849 after a brutal siege.

Garibaldi led a daring retreat across central Italy with his pregnant wife, Anita, and a handful of followers. Anita tragically died during the escape, devastating Garibaldi.

After Rome’s fall, he fled into exile.

Time in America

Giuseppe Garibaldi’s time in North America (1850–1853) was relatively brief but significant. After the fall of the Roman Republic (1849), he fled into exile and eventually arrived in the United States. While in the U.S., he lived a modest life, gained new experiences, and expanded his international reputation.

Garibaldi arrived in New York City in 1850, after traveling through South America and Europe. He was already a well-known revolutionary, and many Italian immigrants in the U.S. admired him. However, he struggled financially and had to find work to support himself.

With the help of Italian-American friends, Garibaldi found work in a candle factory owned by Antonio Meucci, an Italian inventor (who some claim invented the telephone before Alexander Graham Bell). He hated the job, as he preferred military action, but it helped him survive.

Garibaldi briefly worked as a sea captain for merchant ships, commanding a trading vessel that sailed to Peru and China. During this time, he gained more maritime experience, which later helped him in his military campaigns.

While in New York, Garibaldi met influential American political figures, including Horace Greeley (a famous newspaper editor and abolitionist).

The U.S. was experiencing tensions leading up to the Civil War, and some American leaders admired Garibaldi’s revolutionary ideals.

In American, Garibaldi saw democracy in action, which reinforced his belief in a free and unified Italy, and his experiences with the working class and American society deepened his concern for workers’ rights. He also strengthened international connections that later helped his cause in Italy.

After three years, in 1853, Garibaldi left North America, traveling back to Europe.

Back in Italy

After returning from North America in 1853, Giuseppe Garibaldi resumed his fight for Italian unification. His experiences abroad, including time in South America, the U.S., and China, had broadened his perspectives and strengthened his revolutionary resolve.

Settling in Caprera (1854–1859)

In 1854, Garibaldi returned to Italy, settling on the island of Caprera, off the coast of Sardinia. He lived as a farmer and fisherman, but remained politically active, waiting for the right moment to fight for unification. During this time, he grew closer to Piedmont-Sardinia, the leading Italian state advocating for unity under King Victor Emmanuel II.

The Second Italian War of Independence (1859)

In 1859, Piedmont-Sardinia, allied with France, fought Austria to liberate northern Italy.

Garibaldi formed a volunteer force, the Cacciatori delle Alpi (Alpine Hunters), to assist the Piedmontese army. His forces defeated the Austrians in Lombardy, helping push Austria out of much of northern Italy. This set the stage for full Italian unification, though Austria still controlled Venice.

The Expedition of the Thousand (1860–1861) – His Greatest Victory

In 1860, Garibaldi led a small volunteer army of about 1,000 Redshirts to invade Sicily, ruled by the Spanish Bourbon monarchy.

He won a decisive victory at the Battle of Calatafimi, quickly gaining support from the Sicilian people. His forces marched north, capturing Palermo and later Naples, the capital of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies.

Instead of ruling himself, Garibaldi handed over power to King Victor Emmanuel II, allowing Italy to become a unified monarchy in 1861.

This was a turning point in the Risorgimento (Italian Unification Movement), leading to the creation of the Kingdom of Italy in 1861.

Later Years and Final Battles (1862–1871)

Even after Italy was united, Garibaldi continued to fight for the liberation of Rome (still controlled by the Pope and defended by France) and the conquest of Venice (which was still under Austrian rule).

However, these efforts were not always successful. In 1862, he tried to march on Rome, but was wounded and captured by the Italian government, which wanted to avoid war with France. In 1867, he tried again to take Rome but was defeated by French troops.

Finally, in 1870, after France withdrew its troops from Rome, Italy annexed the city, completing the unification process.

Retirement and Death (1871–1882)

Garibaldi retired to Caprera, where he wrote memoirs and supported workers’ rights and democracy. He remained a symbol of resistance and unity until his death on June 2, 1882.

Legacy

Giuseppe Garibaldi remains one of Italy’s greatest national heroes and an enduring symbol of freedom, nationalism, and unity. His influence extends beyond Italy, inspiring independence movements worldwide.

Hero of Italian Unification

Garibaldi played a crucial role in the Risorgimento (Italian unification movement), helping create the Kingdom of Italy (1861). His military campaigns, especially the Expedition of the Thousand (1860), are legendary and taught in Italian schools.

He is celebrated for his selflessness, as he handed over conquered territories to King Victor Emmanuel II instead of seeking power for himself.

Global Inspiration for Freedom Fighters

Garibaldi is often called the “Hero of Two Worlds” because he fought for freedom in South America and Europe. His dedication to liberty influenced many nationalist and revolutionary movements, including Latin American independence leaders like Simón Bolívar and José de San Martín.

During the American Civil War, the Union considered offering him a command, as his fight against monarchy aligned with their anti-slavery cause.

He also inspired anti-colonial and nationalist movements in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Influence on Republican and Socialist Ideals

Although Italy became a monarchy, Garibaldi was a strong supporter of democracy, workers’ rights, and social justice. His ideas later influenced socialist and republican movements in Italy and Europe. He was also an early advocate for women’s rights and universal suffrage.

Cultural and Historical Impact

Many cities in Italy and around the world have streets, squares, and monuments named after Garibaldi. The Monument to Garibaldi in Rome (on Janiculum Hill) is one of the most famous.

Garibaldi’s Redshirts became a universal symbol of revolution and resistance. His life has been depicted in books, films, and TV series as a romantic and heroic figure.

Modern-day Recognition

Italy celebrates Garibaldi as a key founder of the nation. Even today, Garibaldi is seen as a symbol of courage, unity, and patriotism.

Some military units still honor Garibaldi’s legacy in their traditions and symbols.

Garibaldi’s legacy is not just Italian but global. He remains a symbol of the fight against oppression, inspiring those who seek freedom, democracy, and national unity.