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How did Victor Emmanuel II help unify Italy?
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Victor Emmanuel II played a pivotal role in the unification of Italy, transitioning from the King of Sardinia-Piedmont to the first king of a unified Italy in 1861. His contributions included:12
- Political Leadership: In 1852, he appointed Count Cavour as his prime minister, whose diplomatic maneuvers were essential to the unification process.13
- Military Command: He personally commanded Piedmontese troops during the battles of Magenta and Solferino in 1859.1
- Strategic Support: He secretly encouraged Giuseppe Garibaldi’s expedition to conquer Sicily and Naples, subsequently leading his own army into papal territory to link up with Garibaldi’s forces.1
- Expansion: Following Cavour’s death, he oversaw the acquisition of Venetia in 1866 through an alliance with Prussia and secured Rome as the national capital in 1870 after the withdrawal of French troops.1
By maintaining the title Victor Emmanuel II, he emphasized that the new Italian state was a continuation of the Kingdom of Sardinia.4