Could Italy have unified without Prussia?

Answer 1

Italy's unification, or the Risorgimento, was significantly influenced by Prussia's actions, particularly during the Austro-Prussian War of 1866, which weakened Austria's grip on northern Italy. While nationalist sentiments and local leaders like Giuseppe Garibaldi and Count Cavour played crucial roles, it is unlikely that Italy could have achieved unification without Prussian support and military victories. Prussia's rise as a powerful state created an environment conducive to Italian unification by destabilizing Austrian control in the region. Thus, while internal dynamics were essential, Prussia's involvement was a key factor in the success of Italian unification.