The unification of Italy was completed in 1861, culminating a series of wars and political movements known as the Risorgimento. Led by figures such as Giuseppe Garibaldi and Count Camillo di Cavour, this process united various states and territories into the Kingdom of Italy under Victor Emmanuel II. This unification not only reshaped the political landscape of Europe but also fostered a sense of national identity and cultural pride among Italians, influencing future movements for independence and unity across the continent.

The unification of Italy in 1861 fostered a wave of nationalist poetry, with figures like Giovanni Pascoli and Giosuè Carducci celebrating the newfound unity. This movement influenced European Romanticism, as poets began to intertwine themes of patriotism and collective identity in their works.