Camillo Cavour

ModernPoliticianItaly1810 — 1861

Architect of Italian unification, first prime minister.

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Quick Facts

Born

1810

Died

1861

Country

Italy

Era

Modern

Occupation

Politician

Score Overview

Military (10%)20

Political (20%)82

Influence (20%)65

Legacy (20%)80

Leadership (15%)80

Strategy (15%)25

Total Score65.0

Camillo Cavour — Complete Timeline

1858 AD

Plombières AgreementPolitical Action

Cavour met secretly with Napoleon III at Plombi

UnificationDiplomacyFrance

Impact: regionalconstructive

1859 AD

Second Italian War of IndependenceWar◆ Major

Cavour provoked Austria into declaring war, then allied with France to defeat Austrian forces at Magenta and Solferino. The war resulted in Lombardy being annexed by Piedmont-Sardinia. Cavour resigned temporarily after Napoleon III's separate armistice at Villafranca.

UnificationWarAustria

Impact: regionalconstructive

1860 AD

Expedition of the ThousandPolitical Action◆ Major

Cavour secretly supported Garibaldi's expedition to conquer Sicily and Naples, while publicly maintaining neutrality. He sent Piedmontese troops south to meet Garibaldi and prevent him from marching on Rome. This maneuver led to the annexation of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies.

UnificationGaribaldiAnnexation

Impact: regionalconstructive

1861 AD

Proclamation of the Kingdom of ItalyPolitical Action

Cavour, as prime minister, oversaw the first Italian parliament's proclamation of Victor Emmanuel II as King of Italy on March 17, 1861. The new kingdom excluded Venice and Rome. Cavour died three months later, leaving unification incomplete.

UnificationMonarchyParliament

Impact: globalconstructive