Unification of Italy

Count Camillo di Cavour became Prime Minister

Jan 1, 1852

Became prime minister of Sardinia, a kingdom which included both the island of Sardinia and the piedmont region of Northern Italy. He used national alliances to try to unite the rest of Italy to Sardinia.

Alliances that help unite Italy

Sep 9, 1859

Cavour joined Napolean III on an attack on Austria and as a result, Lombardy united with Sardinia. Also, later that year, most of the northern Italy joined Cavour.

Giuseppe Garibaldi liberates Sicily and Naples

Dec 1, 1860

Garibaldi had Cavour's full support and assistance, and in 1860 Garibaldi liberated Sicily and Naples.

Italy official unification

May 13, 1861

Cavour held an election throughout the Southern states to see if they wanted to unite to the Northern states and Sardinia to become a unified nation. Italy was officially united in 1861 and Victor Emanuel II became king of Sardinia in 1862.

Rome becomes the capital

Jul 21, 1871

Rome became the capital of Italy in 1871, 11 years after Italy was officially unified.

Benito Mussolini

Feb 11, 1929

In 1929, Benito Mussolini became Prime Minister and he named the Vatican an independent city-state in 1929.