he third stage of Italian Unification was achieved by the great patriot, Garibaldi. He was born in 1807 at Nice. He became a member of ‘Young Italy’ at the age of 24 and took part in the revolutionary activities. He was the most romantic figure of the Italian unification movement. He was a great disciple of Mazzini. His parents wanted him to join the Church, but he joined seafarers and spent many years at sea. He believed in “The Unification of Italy is possible only by the Sword”. He was a revolutionary and was exiled to South America for taking part in plots and insurrections. While in exile, Garibaldi learned the art of guerrilla warfare.

He participated in the revolt organized by Mazzini at Savoy in 1834. But the revolt failed. Because of his nationalistic activities he was given death sentence. He managed to escape to South America and lived in exile for 14 years. He had a large number of followers who were ready for any sacrifice for the sake of their country.

They were transformed into an army called the ‘Red Shirts’. During the 1848 revolution, he returned to Italy and took part in the Italian Nationalist Movement. During the war between Sardinia and Austria, he commanded the Sardinian forces.

In 1860, the people of Sicily sought his help against the Bourbons. Immediately he went with his army of Red Shirts and within two months, Francis II was defeated and Sicily was annexed. Then he went to Naples and defeated Francis II there also. He wanted to proceed to Rome but Cavour did not like his move and prevailed upon Victor Emmanuel II to prevent him from doing so.

So an army of Victor Emmanuel II was sent to Rome and Garibaldi, whose main aim was the Unification of Italy, handed over Naples and Sicily to Victor Emmanuel II. Garibaldi is called the ‘Sword of Italian Unification’. A true patriot, he refused to accept titles and honours which were offered to him, went back to his village and lived the life of a peasant.