The Vienna Settlement reshaped Italy after Napoleon’s fall. Its conservative framework suppressed reform, but unrest, secret societies, and nationalism continued to challenge the status quo.

The Vienna Settlement and Italy

Territorial Arrangements

The Congress of Vienna (1814–1815) redrew the map of Europe after the Napoleonic Wars. For Italy, this meant the restoration of pre-revolutionary rulers and suppression of nationalist hopes.

• Austria’s dominance: Austria gained direct control over Lombardy-Venetia, providing it with strong influence in northern Italy.

• Restored monarchs: Former dynasties, such as the Bourbons in Naples and Sicily, were reinstated.

• Papal States: The Pope regained control of central Italy.

• Fragmentation: Italy was divided into multiple states, undermining the possibility of national unity.

The Vienna Settlement deliberately opposed the principle of national self-determination, maintaining Italy as a patchwork of states under conservative rulers.

A labelled map of Italy after the Congress of Vienna (1815). Austrian-annexed territories in the north are highlighted, with restored states including the Papal States and the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. Use it to trace fragmentation that hindered early nationalism. Source

Austrian Control and Conservatism

Austria sought to protect its security and political dominance:

• Lombardy-Venetia became part of the Austrian Empire.

• Austria exercised indirect influence over Tuscany, Parma, and Modena, where rulers were Habsburg relatives.

• Austrian garrisons ensured the survival of reactionary regimes, providing military backing to suppress unrest.

Europe in 1815 showing the settlement reached at Vienna, including the Austrian Empire and the Italian states (Lombardy–Venetia, Papal States, Two Sicilies, Tuscany, Parma, Modena). Use this to situate Italian changes within the Concert of Europe. Source

The Rise of Unrest

Discontent with the Settlement

Many Italians resented Austrian control and foreign rule. Conservative policies, censorship, and the repression of liberal ideas caused frustration, particularly among the educated middle class.

• Economic grievances: Heavy taxation and limited reforms worsened hardship.

• Political repression: Liberal constitutions introduced under Napoleon were abolished.

• Cultural resentment: The division of Italy undermined patriotic pride.

Secret Societies

With open political opposition impossible, Italians turned to clandestine groups.

• The most significant was the Carbonari, a secret society promoting liberal and national ideals.

• Their membership included students, professionals, and officers, especially in southern Italy.

Flag of the Carbonari (blue–red–black tricolour), associated with the clandestine movement active in the 1820s–1830s. It helps students link symbolic identity to the spread of liberal and national ideas. As a symbol, it adds no geographic detail and should be paired with textual explanation. Source

Though often fragmented and loosely organised, secret societies spread discontent and laid early groundwork for nationalist resistance.

The Growth of Nationalism

Nationalist Sentiment

While nationalism remained weak compared to later decades, its seeds were sown after 1815:

• Educated elites resented foreign control and the lack of Italian independence.

• The memory of Napoleonic reforms, including legal equality and administrative efficiency, lingered as a contrast to restored monarchies.

• Writers, poets, and intellectuals began to express the idea of an Italian identity, even if practical political unity seemed far away.

The Early Nationalist Vision

Nationalism in this period was diverse and inconsistent:

• Some wanted constitutional monarchies within a looser Italian federation.

• Others dreamed of republicanism and full independence from Austria.

• Support was limited geographically and socially; peasants were largely indifferent, while middle-class liberals and some aristocrats drove the movement.

Forms of Resistance

Popular Unrest

Local uprisings occurred sporadically, often triggered by:

• Economic hardship and food shortages.

• Anger at taxation or unpopular rulers.

• Inspiration from broader European liberal movements.

Influence of Secret Societies

The Carbonari and other groups channelled discontent into action:

• Their networks helped organise conspiracies against rulers in Naples and Piedmont.

• Despite repression, their ideas influenced future generations of revolutionaries, including Giuseppe Mazzini.

Austrian Response

Austria’s determination to maintain the conservative order meant swift intervention:

• Revolts were crushed with military force.

• Political police and censorship suppressed dissent.

• Any hint of nationalist agitation was closely monitored.

The Balance Between Control and Resistance

Conservative Strengths

• Austrian military power provided security for restored monarchies.

• The Catholic Church supported conservative rulers, helping to legitimise their authority.

• Limited support for nationalism meant uprisings rarely mobilised mass participation.

Weaknesses of the Settlement

• The reliance on repression deepened resentment.

• Italy’s division left it vulnerable to future revolutionary movements.

• The inability to accommodate reform or liberal aspirations created instability.

The Significance of the Period 1815–1847

The years following the Vienna Settlement saw Italy trapped between conservative restoration and emerging nationalism. While Austrian dominance ensured temporary stability, it also fuelled resentment. Secret societies, unrest, and intellectual critiques of foreign rule signalled that the status quo would face continuing challenges. Although nationalism was not yet widespread or unified, this era laid the foundations for the more organised movements and revolutions that followed.