There were factors both supporting and opposing Italian unification.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2023). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [1] When he became Pope in 1846 he saw the need for reforms.
2. [1] When he became Pope he seemed to be in favour of anti-Austrian policies in northern Italy.
3. [1] He soon became a national hero for his sympathies for the national cause.
4. [1] In 1848 he refused to go to war against Austria.
5. [1] He excommunicated the leaders of the Roman Republic in 1849.
6. [1] His army fought against Victor Emmanuel in 1860.
7. [1] Rome had to be invaded in 1870 because of the opposition of the Pope.
8. [1] He always refused to recognise the new Kingdom of Italy.
9. [1] He excommunicated Victor Emmanuel.
10. [1] The Austrians represented foreign rule in Lombardy and Venetia.
11. [1] Austria took a lot out of its Italian possessions through high taxes.
12. [1] It ignored Italian requests for more civil liberties.
13. [1] The new Pope's proclamation turned Italians against Austria.
14. [1] It levied high taxes on tobacco.
15. [1] Italian nationalism preached by Mazzini and Garibaldi made Austria unpopular.
16. [4-5] Explanation of unpopularity: Austria viewed its Italian possessions primarily as sources of income, extracting wealth without investing in infrastructure or public facilities, leading to resentment and unpopular rule.
17. [1] Lombardy came under the control of Piedmont.
18. [1] An Italian confederation was set up.
19. [1] The Italians had defeated Austria on the battlefield.
20. [1] Garibaldi's actions in Sicily and the south were crucial.
21. [1] Not all Italy was united in 1859.
22. [1] Venetia stayed under Austrian control.
23. [1] Mazzini's ideas were more important.
24. [4-6] Argument for importance: The war was crucial as Austria suffered military defeats leading to peace terms in 1859 that enabled Piedmont to receive Lombardy and set up an Italian confederation, initiating an unstoppable process towards unification.
25. [4-6] Argument against singular importance: Not all Italy was united (Venetia remained Austrian) and the confederation was short of full unification. Other factors such as Garibaldi's military victories in Sicily and the south, weakening Naples and uniting north/south, or Mazzini's ideas were more important.