The conception of unity was a difficult one for Italians to grasp; all history seemed to fight against it.

There were, for example, not only the traditions connected with Rome to be reckoned with, but there was also the difference between north and south, and, perhaps most important of all, the local spirit of independence associated with the great cities like Venice, Milan, Florence, Naples, etc.
Thus, over against Mazzini's ideal of a single unified State there arose the counter-ideal of a federal system.

In this, however, later events proved Mazzini to be right.

Where he failed in foresight was in regard to the constitutional character of the State he dreamed of.

He wished not only to abolish all existing frontiers in Italy, but to do away with all existing state-systems.