Garibaldi was a great patriot of his time. He was born in 1807 at Nice. His parents wanted to make him a priest, but he wanted to become a sailor. He became a sailor in his youth. At that time, Mazzini had become much popular in Italy.

Garibaldi was also influenced by the ideas of Mazzini and he joined the ‘Young Italy’. He became a well-known figure among the patriots of Italy for his experiences regarding the guerrilla fighting.

When Mazzini organized an open rebellion in Savoy in 1834, Garibaldi took prominent part in it. But the insurrection failed, Garibaldi was crested and sentenced to death. But he escaped to South America where he lived for a long period of fourteen years.

During the period of his exile, he organised ‘Italian Legion’ and took active part in the wars of South America. Soon he gained in popularity for his adventures and efficiency of organization.

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In 1848, a war of independence broke out in Italy. Hearing the newsof the revolution of 1848, Garibaldi returned to Italy and took active part in the war against Austria. Soon afterwards, the patriots revolted against Rome under the leadership of Mazzini.

The Pope fled and Mazzini proclaimed Republic in Rome in 1849. But Napoleon III sent his military to Rome in support of the Pope. Garibaldi at once went to Rome with his army to help Mazzini and to assume the military defence of the republic.

When he was on the brink of defeat, he escaped from there with at least four thousand soldiers. He made up his mind to attack Venetia, an Italian state under the domination of Austria. But he could not do so.

He was given hot pursuit by the armies of France and Austria. He, along with his wife, Anita, had to face many difficulties. The armies of France and Austria were at his heels through forests and over mountains. He lost his wife in the way. At last, he escaped to South America.

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Though he failed in his campaign, still his sacrifice, boldness, patriotism and courage deeply affected the hearts and minds of the lovers of the freedom movement of Italy. As regards his bravery, boldness and courage, C. D. Hazen has observed:

“It was a wonderful exploit, rendered tragic by the death, in a farmhouse near Ravenna, of his wife Anita, who was his companion in the camp as in the home, and who was as high spirited, as daring, as courageous as he.

Garibaldi finally escaped to America and began once more the life of an exile. But his story, shot through and through with heroism and chivalry and romance, moved the Italian people to unwonted depths of enthusiasm and admiration.”

In 1854, he again returned to Italy. He took active part in the Franco-Sardinian-Austrian war of 1859 against Austria. But he was deeply disappointed with the attitude of Napoleon III. His comment regarding the character of Napoleon III was that ‘He is a vulpine knave.’