Camillo Benso di Cavour

Cavour became Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Sardinia under King Victor Emmanuel II. He implemented liberal reforms, modernized the economy, and positioned Sardinia as the leading state for Italian unification.

Cavour committed Sardinian troops to the Crimean War on the side of Britain and France. This diplomatic move gained Sardinia a seat at the Congress of Paris, allowing Cavour to raise the Italian question internationally.

Cavour met secretly with French Emperor Napoleon III at Plombi

Cavour provoked Austria into war, leading to French-Sardinian victories at Magenta and Solferino. The subsequent Armistice of Villafranca gave Lombardy to Sardinia, but Cavour resigned in protest over the peace terms.

Cavour secretly supported Garibaldi's Expedition of the Thousand to conquer Sicily and Naples. He then sent Sardinian troops to prevent Garibaldi from marching on Rome, annexing the Papal States except for Rome itself.

Cavour oversaw the proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy under King Victor Emmanuel II, with Turin as capital. He became the first Prime Minister of Italy but died three months later, leaving unification incomplete.