How valid is the view that, “in the period 1796-1870 the most serious barrier to political change in Italy was widespread apathy among the people?

In 1871 Italy became a unified nation, however in the period of 1796-1870 at that place were many barriers, which prevented the political transmit in Italy. The widespread apathy of the people certainly did effect the junction of Italy, however at that place were other barriers such as the foreign influences of Austria, the un-organisation of the revolts and the fact that at the root the Risorgimento was more for the elitist class. So it is not validated to distinguish that apathy was the most serious barrier as at that place were other factors that together made it difficult for Italy to become united.One factor that was particularly influential was the index number Austria has over Italy. Austria was a major top executive at this time with a large empire. During this period there were a number of revolutions across Europe. Austria and Russia were both conservative monarchists that were determined to suppress any nationalistic movements as possible as they were worried ab out the spread of revolutions affecting their own countries.Austria spread its influence in Italy by installing members of the Austrian imperial family, the Hasbburgs, to rule in many Italian states. This was used for a more pro-Austrian spatial relation and a less patriotic nationalistic attitude to their own country Italy of 1815 was basically under control of the Austrians. Metternich said at the time Italy is only a geographical expression. It is clear that Austria were a major influence and helped to prevent Italy from developing its own identity thus preventing unification- which was Austrias main aim.It is true to say that Austria exerting its power over Italy does show the apathy of the people as they didnt seem to do very a good deal about it, or appear to concerned for close to time. Less than 3% of Italians spoke Italian, and as colloquy wasnt very good it was hard for Italy to feel like one unified country as they were so separated. Peoples sense of pride was what w as missing in Italy. People were very attached to their own particular constituent and in a sense were not affected by what happened in other areas of Italy, especially the north-south divide.It could be argued that this un-communication between different areas of Italy proves that apathy among the people did prevent unification, as the Italians were obviously not prepared for it. nevertheless if the government gave the public a reason to be proud and patriotic, and given them a sense of consent they probably would have reacted and been more unified.In fact not all Italians did have this apathetic attitude towards unification. There were attempts of revolutions in 1820 and 1831, but the force of the Austrians easily crushed these attempts. The Carbonari (1820s) were a secret society attempting change but didnt work as there were too few of them. There are as well examples in radical democrats such as Garibaldi and Mazzini that played a big part in the unification solve as they really believed in it and managed to spread the message more too the masses.This was another barrier to political change that there was shrimpy support for the attempts at revolution. This was to do with the fact that the Italian people has been take to believe that democracy was a thing to be feared, and unification may make Italy worse. Also during the beginning the Risorgimento was more of an elitist phenomenon, where only people of education and urban centres could get to hear about it. There was likewise a lack of co-ordination and confusion between the different ideologies that proved to make revolutions difficult.The Italian public were also unsure of what type of Italy would result after a revolution has taken place. There was particularism between some Italians and their own states as they may have felt they were better off not unified as it may change things in a way they didnt like.Before the Crimean war (1854-56) there seemed to be little chance of Italian unification as the country was so divided and controlled so greatly by Austria. The Crimean war changed a lot of things in Europe. The war was the resultant reason for the two major powers of Austria and Russia to tell on their alliance. Russia was humiliated in the war and was un-supported by Austria. Russia felt like it had been denied to be seen as the major power that it was.Russia therefore was un-supportive of Austria and changed its policy, having been before quite conservative, to an attitude favourable of change. With the weakened force of Austria and its plight to prevent elected states, people like Garibaldi creating a new found patriotic atmosphere among Italians, by 1871 Italy was unified.Overall it is valid to say that the apathy of the Italian people was a barrier to political change. In some slipway the apathy of the people was not just because they werent bothered but because the majority did not receive info about the Risorgimento till quite late. However it is more the f oreign opposition of Austria that was more of a mesomorphic prevention to change that affected the unification process more than the apathy of the people. It was partly due to the domino effect the Austrian influence had that did help to encourage the apathy of the people, as Austrians were so desperate to subject nationalism they managed to help prevent Italians from feeling a belonging to a country.