Garibaldi Lands in Sicily

Setting the scene

Giuseppe Garibaldi's landing at Marsala, Sicily, on May 11, 1860, was a pivotal moment in Italian unification. Garibaldi, a revolutionary who had fought for republican causes in South America and Italy, organized the Expedition of the Thousand—1,089 volunteers, mostly young men in red shirts, who sailed from Genoa in two steamships. Their goal was to conquer the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, ruled by the Bourbon King Francis II, and unite it with northern Italy under King Victor Emmanuel II of Sardinia-Piedmont.

What happened

Garibaldi's forces landed at Marsala on May 11, avoiding Neapolitan warships. They marched inland, winning the Battle of Calatafimi on May 15 against larger Neapolitan forces, then captured Palermo on May 27 after a popular uprising. Garibaldi's charisma, the redshirts' bravery, and Sicilian support for liberation from Bourbon rule fueled success. By July, he controlled Sicily. He then crossed to mainland Italy in August, capturing Naples on September 7 as Francis II fled. Garibaldi handed southern Italy to Victor Emmanuel II, meeting him at Teano on October 26.

Why it still matters

Garibaldi's campaign unified southern Italy with the north, creating the Kingdom of Italy in 1861 (though Rome and Venice were added later). His expedition demonstrated the power of popular nationalism and guerrilla warfare. Garibaldi became a global hero of liberty, admired by figures from Lincoln to Marx. His decision to cede his conquests to the monarchy rather than establish a republic disappointed radicals but ensured unification. The Expedition of the Thousand remains one of history's most romantic military campaigns, proving that determined volunteers could defeat a kingdom.

Background

The Kingdom of Italy took shape within a decade.