How valid is the view that, “in the period 1796-1870 the most serious barrier to political change in Italy was widespread apathy among the people?

In 1871 Italy became a integrate nation, however in the period of 1796-1870 on that point were m all barriers, which prevented the political change in Italy. The wide public exposure insensibility of the people certainly did feeling the marriage of Italy, however there were other barriers such as the contradictory influences of Austria, the un-organisation of the revolts and the fact that at the beginning the Risorgimento was more(prenominal) for the elitist class. So it is not sound to say that unconcern was the most serious barrier as there were other portions that together made it difficult for Italy to become united.One factor that was circumstancely influential was the provide Austria has over Italy. Austria was a major power at this time with a large empire. During this period there were a number of revolutions across Europe. Austria and Russia were both conservative monarchists that were determined to suppress any patriotic movements as possible as they were worr ied nigh the spread of revolutions affecting their own countries.Austria spread its influence in Italy by initiation members of the Austrian imperial family, the Hasbburgs, to rule in many Italian states. This was employ for a more pro-Austrian attitude and a less patriotic nationalistic attitude to their own country Italy of 1815 was basically under control of the Austrians. Metternich verbalize at the time Italy is only a geographical expression. It is clear that Austria were a major influence and boostered to prevent Italy from developing its own identity therefrom preventing wedlock- which was Austrias main aim.It is true to say that Austria exerting its power over Italy does show the unconcern of the people as they didnt seem to do very much about it, or appear to concerned for virtually time. Less than 3% of Italians verbalize Italian, and as communication wasnt very good it was hard for Italy to feel kindred one unified country as they were so separated. Peoples se nse of ostentation was what was missing in Italy. People were very attached to their own particular region and in a sense were not affected by what happened in other areas of Italy, especially the north-south divide.It could be argued that this un-communication between different areas of Italy proves that phlegm among the people did prevent unification, as the Italians were obviously not prepared for it. as yet if the government gave the public a apprehension to be proud and patriotic, and tending(p) them a sense of unity they probably would have reacted and been more unified.In fact not all Italians did have this apathetic attitude towards unification. in that location were attempts of revolutions in 1820 and 1831, except the force of the Austrians easily crushed these attempts. The Carbonari (1820s) were a reclusive society attempting change but didnt work as there were overly few of them. There are also examples in radical democrats such as Garibaldi and Mazzini that pla yed a big part in the unification process as they really believed in it and managed to spread the message more too the masses.This was another barrier to political change that there was circumstantial support for the attempts at revolution. This was to do with the fact that the Italian people has been direct to believe that democracy was a thing to be feared, and unification whitethorn make Italy worse. Also during the beginning the Risorgimento was more of an elitist phenomenon, where only people of development and urban centres could get to hear about it. There was also a lack of co-ordination and confusion between the different ideologies that proved to make revolutions difficult.The Italian public were also unsure of what type of Italy would result after a revolution has taken place. There was particularism between some Italians and their own states as they may have felt they were better off not unified as it may change things in a way they didnt like. ahead the Crimean war ( 1854-56) there seemed to be little chance of Italian unification as the country was so divided and controlled so greatly by Austria. The Crimean war changed a lot of things in Europe. The war was the resultant reason for the two major powers of Austria and Russia to break their alliance. Russia was humiliated in the war and was un-supported by Austria. Russia felt like it had been denied to be seen as the major power that it was.Russia thereof was un-supportive of Austria and changed its policy, having been before instead conservative, to an attitude favourable of change. With the weakened force of Austria and its engagement to prevent democratic states, people like Garibaldi creating a new nominate patriotic atmosphere among Italians, by 1871 Italy was unified.Overall it is valid to say that the apathy of the Italian people was a barrier to political change. In some ways the apathy of the people was not just because they werent bothered but because the majority did not receive information about the Risorgimento till quite late. However it is more the foreign opposition of Austria that was more of a potent prevention to change that affected the unification process more than the apathy of the people. It was partly due to the domino effect the Austrian influence had that did help to encourage the apathy of the people, as Austrians were so desperate to reduce nationalism they managed to help prevent Italians from feeling a belonging to a country.