Many different factors contributed to the achievement of Italian unification.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2024). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [1] A secret revolutionary society.
2. [1] It supported Italian nationalism.
3. [1] It took part in the failed revolution of 1820.
4. [1] It wanted a constitutional government.
5. [1] It was divided into small secret cells across Italy.
6. [1] It was anti-clerical.
7. [1] It took part in the 1831 uprisings.
8. [1] It was gradually replaced by Young Italy.
9. [6] (Level 4) It was important because it took Italy one step closer to complete unification. Italy had agreed that if Prussia and Austria went to war, then Italy would declare war on Austria. If Prussia won, Italy would be given Venetia as a reward. Although Italy was defeated by Austria on the battlefield, Prussia still defeated Austria and in the Peace of Prague Venetia was given to Italy.
10. [5] (Level 3) It was important because it took Italy one step closer to complete unification. Italy had agreed that if Prussia and Austria went to war, then Italy would declare war on Austria. If Prussia won, Italy would be given Venetia as a reward.
11. [1] (Level 2) Italy was given Venetia.
12. [1] (Level 2) Only Rome was now needed for complete unification.
13. [1] (Level 2) It took Italian unification one step closer to completion.
14. [1] (Level 2) The Prussians defeated Austria when Italy could not manage it.
15. [1] (Level 1) This war was a terrible one. It was decided at the Battle of Königgrätz where thousands were killed. However, during the war Italy was defeated by Austria.
16. [10] (Level 5) Cavour was more important than Garibaldi. Garibaldi defeated the Kingdom of Naples but he was seen as an unreliable figure. Who was going to govern the south of Italy and indeed a unified Italy? His strength was in fighting battles and inspiring people. However, Cavour understood that the only way of unifying Italy was under Piedmont which would bring stability and law and order to the new country. He made use of Garibaldi but it was Cavour who actually engineered unification.
17. [6] (Level 3) Garibaldi was essential to unification being achieved. In 1860 he took 'The Thousand' over to Sicily which he conquered. He then returned to the mainland and took over the Kingdom of Naples. To conquer the south of Italy like this was a remarkable achievement. He contributed to Italian unification by then handing over his conquests to Victor Emmanuel. This almost completed unification, leaving just Rome and Venetia. Without Garibaldi, the Kingdom of Naples may never have fallen. He was also an inspirational figure and won a lot of people over to the cause of unification.
18. [6] (Level 3) Cavour was more important than Garibaldi. He contributed to unification in a less spectacular way than Garibaldi but was, in fact, more important. He realised that there was no way Austria could be expelled from Italy without outside help. At Plombières he agreed with Napoleon III to engineer a war with Austria which could then lead to forcing Austria out of Italy. Although Napoleon pulled out of the war early, Cavour did win Lombardy for Piedmont. Later he managed to stop Garibaldi invading the Papal States and used the Piedmontese army to occupy it. This basically meant that Italy was unified under Piedmont.
19. [1] (Level 2) Garibaldi defeated the Kingdom of Naples.
20. [1] (Level 2) Garibaldi handed over large parts of Italy to Piedmont.
21. [1] (Level 2) Garibaldi inspired people to support the cause of unification.
22. [1] (Level 2) Cavour achieved Napoleon's support.
23. [1] (Level 2) Cavour won Lombardy for Piedmont.
24. [1] (Level 2) Cavour used Garibaldi to achieve unification.
25. [1] (Level 2) Napoleon's contribution was essential.
26. [1] (Level 2) Cavour was only interested in extending Piedmont's power and territories.
27. [1] (Level 2) Cavour tried to stop Garibaldi conquering the south.
28. [1] (Level 2) Mazzini inspired people with the idea of unification.
29. [1] (Level 1) Garibaldi achieved much towards unification but he was not the only person involved. Cavour was also important as was Mazzini. I think it was the three of them together that were most important.