Contextualization

The second half of the 19th century brought significant political transformations to Europe. Two of the most significant were the Italian and German unifications. Up to this period, both Italy and Germany were just a fragmented collection of small states, each with its own currency, legislation, customs, and often speaking different dialects of their common language. The unifications drastically changed the political configuration of Europe, and their consequences continue to affect the continent to this day.

The history of the Italian and German unifications is rich and complex, involving a series of dramatic events and fascinating characters. It is a study of power, nationalism, complicated alliances, and the struggle for identity. It is also a direct study of how the actions of individuals and countries in history shape the world we see today.

Introduction

The Italian unification, known in Italian as 'Il Risorgimento', was the political and social process that united different states of the Italian peninsula into a single state, the Kingdom of Italy. It is divided into three main stages: The Preparation (1815-1848), The Achievement (1848-1871), and The Preservation (1871-1914). These events had profound effects on the political and social configuration of the new Italy, and also resulted in the formation of the so-called 'Southern Problem', a social and economic conflict that still persists in contemporary Italy.

The German unification, on the other hand, was a complex process that involved diplomacy, war, and the astute and strategic thinking of Otto von Bismarck. The German unification created a powerhouse in the heart of Europe, which would play a central role in the following decades, leading to the outbreak of World War I.

Practical Activity

Activity Title: 'Time Correspondents'

Project Objective:

This project aims to deepen students' knowledge about the Italian and German unifications through a historical representation. The practical activity will require research, text interpretation, and writing and presentation skills.

In this project, students will portray a historical character during the time of the Italian and German Unifications and write a series of 'time letters' as if they were this character. The letters should depict the main events of the unification, the character's worldview, and the implications of these events for the present day.

Detailed Project Description:

The project will be carried out by groups of 3 to 5 students. Each group will represent an important state or region during the period of the Italian or German unification. Each student will portray a historical character from the chosen state/region, for example, a politician, a soldier, a worker, or a member of the aristocracy.

Required Materials:

• History books and reliable online sources on the topic
• Writing materials: paper, pen, or word processor
• Camera or smartphone for recording presentations

Step-by-Step for Activity Execution:

1. Each group will choose a state/region from the period of the Italian or German unification.
2. Each student will choose a historical character from the chosen state/region.
3. Students will research their character and the historical, social, and political context of their state/region during the unification period.
4. Each student will write five 'time letters'. The letters should portray the character's view on the unification events, the challenges they faced, the social and political changes that occurred, and the consequences of these events for the present day.
5. Each group will present their letters to the rest of the class. Each presentation should be between 10 to 15 minutes and should include a discussion on the group's conclusions about the effect of the unification on the state/region represented and the character.
6. After the presentations, each student should write a report reflecting on the project as a whole, what they learned, and the importance of these events for the history of Italy, Germany, and Europe.

Project Submission:

Students must submit the written letters, present their letters to the class, and submit an individual report upon project completion. The report should include the following sections: Introduction, Development, Conclusions, and Bibliography.

1. Introduction: The student should contextualize the theme, its relevance and real-world application, as well as the objective of this project.
2. Development: The student should explain the theory behind the project's central theme, detail the activity, indicate the methodology used, and present and discuss the results obtained.
3. Conclusions: The student should conclude the work by summarizing its main points, explaining the learnings obtained, and drawing conclusions about the project.
4. Bibliography: The student should indicate the sources they relied on to work on the project such as books, web pages, videos, etc.

This project will not only deepen students' knowledge about the Italian and German Unifications but also help develop research, writing, presentation, and teamwork skills.