Assessment of Factors Contributing to Italian Unification

Positive (mostly long term effects)

• encouraged liberal and nationalist feelings within the pennisula
• a unified cause arose which was to eradicate Austrian power
• economic fragmentation allowed Piedmont to progress to the point where it was able to become the head of the unification

Negative  

• Separatism of states: language (French, German & Latin), currency, type of rule/government, regionalism = political & economic fragmentation
• Austria gained power -> direct rule in Lombardy and Modena, called to defeat revolutionary forces
• Restoration of Pope and Papal States: repressive rule (Inquisition, corruption, public floggings and the guillotine) 

Became Prime Minister of Piedmont in 1852, and by 1855 he held three positions: Prime Minister, Finance Minister and Foreign Minister. Although he was an expert in economic and financial affairs, he was rather inexperienced with foreign affairs. 

Positive

• established Piedmont as a leading power by modernising and strengthening it economically, militarily and diplomatically, allowing it to lead unification.
• recognised that Austria control had to be removed from 'Italy'
• realised that 'Italy' wasn't strong enough to get rid of Austria by itself

Negative 

• Arguably, he wasn't a true nationalist, Dennis Mack Smith describes him as a "clever politician"; did not see unification as a serious aim until 1859
• 1861- desire to unify northern states but exclude poorer south(Naples/Sicily)

After a chance encounter with Mazzini, Garibaldi was soon committed to a united Italy. He joined the 'Young Italy' movement and became part of Mazzini's revolutionary plans in Piedmont

Positive

• was willing to sacrifice republic for the vision of a unified Italy
• was consistently dedicated to unification and wanted to unify the whole peninsula 

Negative

• was naive to think Italy would be able to defeat Austria independently
• lived in South America to prevent death sentence and was exiled to Sardinia 
• was seen as dangerous revolutionary (but also a heroic freedom fighter)