Giuseppe Garibaldi (1807–1882) was an Italian general, revolutionary, and republican who became one of the key figures of the Italian unification, or Risorgimento. Initially a follower of the nationalist Giuseppe Mazzini, Garibaldi embraced democratic republicanism but later pragmatically allied with monarchist forces to achieve a unified Italy. After participating in an early uprising in Piedmont, he was sentenced to death and fled to South America. During his fourteen years in exile, he mastered guerrilla warfare, fighting in the Ragamuffin War in Brazil and the Uruguayan Civil War, where he formed the famous "Redshirts" volunteer force.
Returning to Italy in 1848, Garibaldi commanded military campaigns that were pivotal to the nation's unification. He served as a general for the Roman Republic and led the Hunters of the Alps in 1859, capturing key cities in Lombardy. His most famous achievement came in 1860 when he led the Expedition of the Thousand, successfully annexing Sicily, Southern Italy, Marche, and Umbria to the Kingdom of Sardinia, which paved the way for the creation of a unified Kingdom of Italy in 1861.
Known as the "Hero of the Two Worlds," Garibaldi's later military career included commanding the Army of the Vosges during the Franco-Prussian War. He became an international symbol of national independence and republican ideals, earning the admiration of global contemporaries such as Victor Hugo, Charles Dickens, and Abraham Lincoln. Today, he is celebrated as one of Italy's greatest national heroes.
