(a) Explain the process of unification of Italy.

(i) During middle of 19th century Italy was divided into $\displaystyle 7$ States, of which only Sardinia – Piedmont, was ruled by an Italian Prince.

(ii) Giuseppe Mazzini made efforts to unite the Italian Republic. He had formed a secret society called ‘Young Italy’ for achieving his goal.

(iii) Count Cavour was the Chief Minister who led the movement to unify Italy. He formed a tactful diplomatic alliance with France and defeated the Austrian forces.

(iv) Giuseppe Garibaldi formed armed volunteers. In $\displaystyle 1860$, they marched into South Italy and the kingdoms of two Sicilies and succeeded in driving out the Spanish ruler.

(v) In $\displaystyle 1861$, Victor Emmanuel II was proclaimed the King of United Italy.

(b)How did the French revolution play an important role in creating the idea of the nation in Europe? Explain.

(i) The ideas of la patrie (the father land), le cition (the motherland )emphasised the notion of a united community enjoying equal rights under our constitution .

(ii) A new french flag, the tricolor, was chosen to replace the former royal standard .

(iii) The estates general was elected by the body of active citizens and renamed the national assembly.

(iv) New hymns were composed , oaths taken and martyrs commemorated all in the name of the nation.

(v) A centralized administrative system was put in place .

(vi) It formulated uniform laws for all citizens within its territory .

(vii) Internal custom duties and dues were abolished .

(viii) A uniform system of weights and measures were adopted .

(ix) Regional dialects were discouraged and French, as it was spoken and written in Paris, became the common language of the nation .