During the 1848–1849, the Italian National Association competed against the rival Moderate Party led by Vincenzo Gioberti and Massimo d'Azeglio that won the election in the Kingdom of Sardinia and established a new government.
In 1860, the Action Party financed the creation of a paramilitary group led by Giuseppe Garibaldi named the Redshirts (Camicie rosse).
The Redshirts become particularly famous for the Expedition of the Thousand, when Garibaldi conquered in a few months all of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies and the Papal States.
The Action Party founded the first mutual aid societies, workers' associations, public schools and cooperatives.
In 1867, the Action Party attempted to conclude the Unification War and take over Rome with the Battle of Mentana, which failed.