Page "Basilicata" Paragraph 21

The region became part of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies in 1735.

Basilicata autonomously declared its annexation to the Kingdom of Italy on August 18, 1860 with the Potenza insurrection.

It was during this period that the State confiscated and sold off vast tracts of Basilicata's territory formerly owned by the Church.

As the new owners were a handful of wealthy aristocratic families, the average citizen did not see any immediate economic and social improvements after unification and poverty continued unabated.

This gave rise to the phenomenon of brigandage whereby the Church encouraged the local people to rise up against the nobility and the new Italian State.

This strong opposition movement continued for many years.

Carmine Crocco from Rionero in Vulture was the most important chief in the region and the most impressive leader in south Italy.