Camillo Cavour was a key figure in the unification of Italy, but none of the options you provided accurately summarize his contributions. Instead, he played a critical role as the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Sardinia (Piedmont), working diplomatically and strategically to promote the unification of Italy under a constitutional monarchy.
Here are a few key aspects of his contributions:
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Realpolitik and Diplomacy: Cavour was a master of diplomatic negotiations and alliances. He sought to strengthen Piedmont-Sardinia as a liberal state and used diplomacy to isolate Austria, which controlled much of northern Italy.
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Alliances and Wars: He aligned with France under Napoleon III to challenge Austrian dominance in Italy. This cooperation led to military engagements, such as the Second Italian War of Independence (1859), which resulted in the defeat of Austria in some territories.
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Promotion of Unification: Cavour worked to annex other Italian states to Piedmont. He supported the efforts of other nationalist leaders, such as Giuseppe Garibaldi, and facilitated the unification of various regions through political maneuvering and strategic military support.
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Economic Modernization: He implemented reforms that modernized the economy of Piedmont, making it a strong state that could lead the push for unification effectively.
Ultimately, Cavour's contributions were foundational to the establishment of a unified Italy, and he played a pivotal role in orchestrating the political and military strategies that led to unification in 1861.
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