Why did Camillo Benso, count di Cavour send Piedmontese troops to the Crimean War?

Camillo Benso, count di Cavour, sent Piedmontese troops to the Crimean War primarily to avoid diplomatic isolation and to secure a seat at the peace conference in Paris, where he hoped to bring international attention to the "Italian question" and the issue of Austrian encroachment in Italy.12

Cavour’s decision was driven by several critical factors:

• Political Pressure: King Victor Emmanuel II was eager to restore the reputation of the Piedmontese army and threatened to dismiss Cavour if he did not support the alliance with France and Britain.12
• Strategic Necessity: With the outbreak of the war temporarily healing the rivalry between France and Austria, Cavour’s previous strategy of playing the two powers against each other became ineffective. Joining the war was a calculated move to maintain French sympathy and ensure Piedmont remained a relevant force in European affairs.2
• Diplomatic Leverage: By committing troops to the conflict, Cavour successfully positioned Piedmont as a state that could be a valuable ally. This allowed him to participate in the 1856 Congress of Paris, where he was able to present the Italian situation as a threat to European peace, effectively isolating Austria diplomatically.12