Redshirts (Italy)

Redshirts (Italy)
Camicie rosse (Redshirts), Giubbe Rosse (Red Coats), Italian Legion
Giuseppe Garibaldi's Redshirts, at the 1860 Battle of Calatafimi, during the "Expedition of the Thousand", in the Italian Unification Wars
Active	1843-1913
Ideology	Nationalism, Spanish American wars of independence, Italian nationalism, Italian unification
Leaders	Giuseppe Garibaldi, Ricciotti Garibaldi
Area of operations	Uruguay, Italy, Sicily, Greece, Balkans
Allies	Colorados Unitarian Party  Empire of Brazil France  United Kingdom France Kingdom of Sardinia Kingdom of Italy United Provinces of Central Italy Balkan League:  Bulgaria  Serbia  Greece  Montenegro
Opponents	Blancos  Argentine Confederation  Empire of Brazil  Two Sicilies  Papal States  Ottoman Empire
Battles and wars	Uruguayan Civil War Battle of Cerro Battle of Sant'Antonio Great Siege of Montevideo Anglo-French blockade of the Río de la Plata Siege of Rome Second Italian War of Independence Expedition of the Thousand Battle of Aspromonte Battle of Volturnus Battle of Calatafimi Battle of Bezzecca Battle of Mentana Third Italian War of Independence Franco-Prussian War Greco-Turkish War of 1897 First Balkan War

Uruguayan Civil War

Second Italian War of Independence

Third Italian War of Independence
Franco-Prussian War
Greco-Turkish War of 1897

Redshirts (Italian Camicie rosse) or Red coats (Italian Giubbe Rosse) is the name given to the volunteers who followed Giuseppe Garibaldi in southern Italy during his Mille expedition to southern Italy, but sometimes extended to other campaigns of his. The name derived from the color of their shirts or loose fitting blouses (complete uniforms were beyond the finances of the Italian patriots).

The red shirts were started by Giuseppe Garibaldi. During his years of exile, Garibaldi was involved in a military action in Uruguay, where, in 1843, he originally used red shirts from a stock destined for slaughterhouse workers in Buenos Aires. Later, he spent time in private retirement in New York City. Both places have been claimed as the birthplace of the Garibaldian red shirt.

The formation of his force of volunteers in Uruguay, his mastery of the techniques of guerilla warfare, his opposition to the Emperor of Brazil and Argentine territorial ambitions (perceived by liberals as also imperialist), and his victories in the battles of Cerro and Sant'Antonio in 1846 that assured the independence of Uruguay, made Garibaldi and his followers heroes in Italy and Europe. Garibaldi was later hailed as the "Hero of Two Worlds" on the basis of these exploits.