Person Information

Biography

Italian military hero. He led Italian volunteer forces and was one of the central figures behind the unification of Italy. In the first half of the 19th century, Italy was still divided into regional states with separate rulers. Garibaldi joined the Young Italy Society, organized by Italian nationalist Giuseppe Mazzini, in 1834. The group fought in their first uprising for independence in Genoa, but after losing Garibaldi fled to South America. He remained in exile from 1836 to 1848. After Garibaldi returned to Italy in 1849, he supported Mazzini's short lived regime. After the state fell, Garibaldi again fled Italy for New York, where he lived with inventor and fellow Italian exile Antonio Meucci. Garibaldi worked as a candlemaker while recovering from the war and preparing his next military campaign for independence. Garibaldi returned to Italy in 1854 to fight for a unified Italian nation. His volunteer forces seized Sicily and Naples in 1860, and the success led to the unification of Italy under King Victor Emmanuel II. Unification also solidified Garibaldi's international reputation as a military leader. President Lincoln offered Garibaldi a command in the Union Army at the beginning of the Civil War, but he declined so he could continue to aid the recently unified Italian nation.

Letter References

Citations

Biography and Citation Information:
Biography: 
Italian military hero. He led Italian volunteer forces and was one of the central figures behind the unification of Italy. In the first half of the 19th century, Italy was still divided into regional states with separate rulers. Garibaldi joined the Young Italy Society, organized by Italian nationalist Giuseppe Mazzini, in 1834. The group fought in their first uprising for independence in Genoa, but after losing Garibaldi fled to South America. He remained in exile from 1836 to 1848. After Garibaldi returned to Italy in 1849, he supported Mazzini's short lived regime. After the state fell, Garibaldi again fled Italy for New York, where he lived with inventor and fellow Italian exile Antonio Meucci. Garibaldi worked as a candlemaker while recovering from the war and preparing his next military campaign for independence. Garibaldi returned to Italy in 1854 to fight for a unified Italian nation. His volunteer forces seized Sicily and Naples in 1860, and the success led to the unification of Italy under King Victor Emmanuel II. Unification also solidified Garibaldi's international reputation as a military leader. President Lincoln offered Garibaldi a command in the Union Army at the beginning of the Civil War, but he declined so he could continue to aid the recently unified Italian nation.
Citation Type: 
Website
Citation URL: 
http://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/washingtonsquarepark/monuments/571
Title of Webpage: 
Giuseppe Garibaldi
Website Viewing Date: 
Tuesday, May 6, 2014 - 11:00
Website's Last Modified Date: 
Tuesday, May 6, 2014 - 11:00
Citation for Birth Info:
Citation Type: 
Website
Citation URL: 
http://redcrossgaribaldi.org/history-of-garibaldi
Title of Webpage: 
History of Garibaldi
Website Viewing Date: 
Tuesday, May 6, 2014 - 11:00
Website Last Modified Date: 
Tuesday, May 6, 2014 - 11:00
Citation for Death Info:
Citation Type: 
Website
Citation URL: 
http://redcrossgaribaldi.org/history-of-garibaldi
Title of Webpage: 
History of Garibaldi
Website Viewing Date: 
Tuesday, May 6, 2014 - 11:00
Website Last Modified Date: 
Tuesday, May 6, 2014 - 11:00