Why did Count Cavour fear Giuseppe Garibaldi’s campaign might threaten Piedmont’s control of Italian unification?

Count Cavour feared that Giuseppe Garibaldi’s campaign might undermine Piedmont’s leadership of the Risorgimento for several key reasons:

• Radicalization of the Movement: Cavour was concerned that the unification process was shifting from a controlled, monarchist endeavor into a popular, revolutionary movement led by Garibaldi’s radical followers.12
• Diplomatic Risks: Garibaldi’s ambition to march on Rome posed a significant threat of international intervention. Cavour feared that if Garibaldi attacked the Papal States, France—a key ally—would intervene to protect the Pope, potentially jeopardizing the entire unification project.23
• Maintaining Control: To ensure that Piedmont remained the architect of a unified Italy, Cavour felt compelled to act. He ordered Piedmontese troops to invade Umbria and Marche to intercept Garibaldi’s forces, effectively positioning himself as a defender of order against revolutionary excesses while simultaneously securing the south for the Kingdom of Italy.123

Ultimately, Cavour’s maneuvers were designed to steer the momentum of Garibaldi’s military successes toward the establishment of a stable, monarchist state under Victor Emmanuel II.12