Episode 17 - Plots, Plans, and Revolutions

2/9/2014

We cover the revolutions against the Kingdom of Piedmont and the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies (1820-1821). Also be sure to check out my upcoming interviews on historypodcasters.com! Download Episode 17

7 Comments

John

2/22/2014 01:44:06 pm

Just wanted to thank you guys for all your hard work. You shed a lot of light on an overlooked era in history. I was thumbing through a college history textbook and there is maybe one paragraph on the subject. In the chapter on Napoleon it simply states that he "conquered Italy on his way to power" not even bothering to list the dynamics of the individual states and how Napoleon regarded them. Love your straightforward approach. Keep up the good work.

Benjamin

2/23/2014 11:57:10 am

Thanks so much for your comment! You're right, the Italian Unification is woefully underrepresented in most basic history textbooks, and information on the Napoleonic era in Italy is almost nonexistent outside of a few special books. We're glad we've been able to shed some light on this for you. Thanks again!

Greg

4/25/2014 07:09:41 am

I'm curious, what source did you use to determine membership of the Cabonari? It was mentioned in the prior episode as well that unemployed lawyers and other educated people were a large component in agitating for constitutional reforms.

Benjamin

4/25/2014 07:15:40 am

That's a good question - I don't remember off the top of my head, but I'd be willing to bet it came from either The Force of Destiny by Christopher Duggan or Italy in the Age of the Risorgimento by Harry Hearder. I can check when I get home.

Why do you ask? Do you have some source that disagrees, or did I accidentally contradict myself?

Greg

4/25/2014 07:34:45 am

Oh, I have no contradictory information. It is just related to something else I have been reading about (high unemployment of Chinese lawyers as potential agent of reform)

Alice

5/10/2014 05:56:06 am

My AS history exam is on wednesday and these pod casts have been so useful! theres a wonderful mix between essential knowledge for my course and interesting extras that I can chuck in to any essays. I just want to thank you guys so much as I must have gone up by at least a grade from all the extra knowledge I have now! THANK YOU!!

Benjamin

5/12/2014 07:10:59 am

Thanks - we're glad our podcasts are so useful! It's also nice to hear that members of a hipper, younger generation are listening to our show :-)

I assume you're taking AP Euro? That was the class where I first learned about the Italian Unification. Good luck on the exam!

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