Cavour and Bismarck used poitics, he knew he couldn't take down Austria on his own so he got help from the Napolion the third. Even though the French backed out he still got Northern Italy back.
Japan needed more land to feed its people, it turned to war for this. When they started attacking small nations no one was too worried. Then they went for bigger areas and the United States retaliated. It is said the U.S.A did nothing to stop Japan at the beginning, but they did. The United States embargoed Japan, this made even more complications in the Japanese empire. Japan later went on to attack Pearl Harbor and the Philippines as a result. Keep in mind, the only reason America embargoed japan was due to their aggressive expansion.
I hope I have been of assistance. Have a great day! :)
It was a railroad that ran from east coast to west coast.