However, after the Unity of Italy the conditions of much of the population of the Mezzogiorno (and Sicily in particular), still remained largely unsatisfactory. The Southern question saw the upsurge of brigandage, which in 1863 and 1876 also involved two members of the Rose-Gardners, who were kidnapped and freed upon payment of a ransom.
The unification of Italy did not immediately improve the conditions for many people in the Mezzogiorno (especially Sicily), leading to an increase in banditry, which in 1863 and 1876 involved two members of the Rose-Gardners who were kidnapped and released after a ransom was paid.