“Cavour’s political skills were the most significant factor in the establishment of the Kingdom of Italy by 1861.” Discuss.

The question requires that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the importance of Cavour’s political skills in establishing the Kingdom of Italy. Candidates may discuss Cavour’s policies in Piedmont and how he diplomatically strengthened the state and gained allies (Pact of Plombieres). He used his political skills to convince the Central Duchies to vote to join Piedmont. He realized that Piedmont would have to unite with Southern Italy and the Papal states to prevent a republic or foreign intervention to protect the Papacy. Candidates may argue that his willingness to do so when he would have possibly preferred a strong Northern Italian kingdom was significant in the formation of Kingdom of Italy. Others might argue that it was the actions of Garibaldi in Sicily and Naples that was the major factor in establishing the Kingdom of Italy. His successful expedition to Sicily and the threat to the Papal States caused Cavour and Victor Emmanuel to consider the idea of greater unification. It could be argued that Garibaldi abandoned his hope for a republic because of the opportunity to establish a unified Kingdom. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.

The question required that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the statement that Cavour's political skills were the most significant factor in the establishment of the Kingdom of Italy by 1861. Many candidates provided very good knowledge and were able to argue in support of the statement and/or challenge the statement by arguing for the significance of other factors. These other factors included the roles of Garibaldi, Mazzini and Napoleon III.