An evaluation of the obstacles to Italian unification, 1815-50

Disunity and Regional Differences

Provincialism and localism: Loyalty to local provinces and institutions was a significant obstacle to national awareness. Many Italians identified themselves by their region or city-state, not as Italians.
Linguistic division: There were profound variations in the Italian language across the peninsula. The lack of a unified language limited the sense of national identity.
Economic disparity: The difference between the industrialised north and the agrarian, rural south posed a challenge to unification. The economic concerns of each region differed, creating divergent priorities.

Lack of consensus: Different groups wanted different forms of government- monarchy, republic, federal structure. This divided opinion weakened the course of unification.
Foreign interferences: Powerful foreign states like Austria, France, and the Papal States had interests in Italian affairs. Their policies often inhibited unification.
Role of the Church: The Pope and the Catholic Church were against the idea of a unified Italy, mainly because that threatened papal territories.

Lack of leadership: There were many leaders (like Mazzini, Garibaldi, Cavour), but no single leader around whom all could unite. Their ideological differences often conflicted.
Absence of mass support: The revolutionary movements by Carbonari and Young Italy were primarily middle-class initiatives. The mass population, mainly peasants and clergy, were largely indifferent to unification.
Ineffective revolutions: The revolutions of the 1820s and 1830s, and the uprising in 1848-49, did not result in unification, often due to lack of coordination, infighting, and foreign intervention.

Austrian control in Northern Italy: Austria directly ruled Lombardy-Venetia. They quashed nationalist movements there and hindered the unification process.
Metternich’s influence: Austrian chancellor Metternich played a vital part in stopping the spread of nationalist ideas. His diplomacy kept Italy divided into separate rulers with Austrian influence.
Austrian military strength: Austria’s military strength was a significant obstruction to the nationalist forces, particularly during the 1848-49 revolutions. They crushed down the nationalist uprisings, setting back the unification movement.