Part 7/9:
Through the centuries, the political landscape of Sicily and Naples continued to fragment, driven by external control and escalating conflicts. The rich cultural heritage struggled against the backdrop of poverty and neglect, culminating in the emergence of the Mafia as a means of social order—an unintended result of prolonged governmental disarray.
The unification of Italy in the 19th century failed to resolve the inequities between North and South. The southern populace, feeling marginalized by Northern industrial advancements, faced social and economic challenges, which only deepened their struggles over time.