Giuseppe Garibaldi

ModernGeneralItaly1807 — 1882

Hero of Italian unification, leader of the Expedition of the Thousand.

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Quick Facts

Born

1807

Died

1882

Country

Italy

Era

Modern

Occupation

General

Score Overview

Military (10%)62

Political (20%)55

Influence (20%)40

Legacy (20%)68

Leadership (15%)54

Strategy (15%)55

Total Score55.0

Giuseppe Garibaldi — Complete Timeline

1849 AD

Defense of the Roman RepublicWar◆ Major

Garibaldi commanded the defense of the short-lived Roman Republic against French forces sent to restore papal rule. Despite heroic resistance, the republic fell, and Garibaldi led a retreat through central Italy.

Italian UnificationRoman RepublicDefense

Impact: regionaltragic

1860 AD

Expedition of the ThousandWar

Garibaldi led a volunteer force of about 1,000 men to conquer Sicily and Naples. His campaign overthrew the Bourbon monarchy and unified southern Italy with the Kingdom of Sardinia.

Italian UnificationExpeditionVolunteers

Impact: nationalconstructive

Battle of CalatafimiWar◆ Major

Garibaldi's Redshirts defeated a larger Bourbon army at Calatafimi in Sicily. The victory boosted morale and demonstrated the effectiveness of his volunteers, opening the way to Palermo.

Italian UnificationBattleSicily

Impact: regional

Battle of VolturnusWar◆ Major

Garibaldi's forces defeated the Neapolitan army at the Volturno River. The victory secured his conquest of Naples and forced King Francis II into exile, completing the unification of southern Italy.

Italian UnificationBattleNaples

Impact: regional

Cession of Sicily and Naples to Victor Emmanuel IIPolitical Action

After conquering southern Italy, Garibaldi voluntarily handed over his conquests to King Victor Emmanuel II of Sardinia. This act unified Italy under the monarchy and avoided civil war.

Italian UnificationCessionMonarchy

Impact: nationalconstructive