During the first half of the 19th century, Italy did not exist as a nation-state and its region was made up of a series of small kingdoms, many of which were under the rule of the Austrians. Nationalist ideals were strengthened during the 19th century, especially from the 1848 liberal revolutions that took place across Europe.
The 1848 movements also encouraged rebellions led by Republicans in different parts of Italy. One of these attempts to seize power was led by Giuseppe Mazzini, leader of the republican group Jovem Italia. Republican movements, however, failed and ended up weakening.
The following year, in 1849, Vitor Emanuel II took over as king of Piedmont-Sardinia, shortly after his father failed to defeat the Austrians who occupied kingdoms in the region. In 1852, Vitor Emanuel II appointed Camilo Benso, Count de Cavour, as Prime Minister of the kingdom and together they led the Italian unification.
Italian unification, or Risorgimento as Italians prefer, was led by the Kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia. First, the Prime Minister undertook a brief modernization process in the kingdom. Regarding unification, Count de Cavour knew that there must be a confrontation against Austria.
