Comparing The Unification of Italy and Germany

(ITALY) Cavour works to mold Sardinia into a liberal constitutional state capable of leading northern Italy

Period: Jan 1, 1850 to Jul 1, 1858

Bismarck creates highways and railroads, stands for civil liberties, and opposes clerical priveleges.
These reforms increase support for Sardinia in northern Italy.

(ITALY) Cavour makes secret alliance with Napoleon III against Austria

Jul 1, 1858

(ITALY) Italy's War with Austria

Period: Jan 1, 1859 to Jul 1, 1859

(ITALY) Central Italy's Revolution

Period: Jan 1, 1859 to Jul 1, 1859

Pro-Sardinian nationalists in central Italian states topple their ruling princes, then call for fusion with Sardinia

(ITALY) Napoleon III's Peace with Austrians, Cavour Briefly Resigns

Jul 1, 1859

Sardinia only recieves Lombardy from Austria. Cavour resigns in a rage.

(ITALY) Cavour comes back, central Italy joins Sardinia in a plebiscite vote

Jan 1, 1860

(iTALY) Garibaldi conquers Sicily

Period: May 1, 1860 to Aug 1, 1860

(ITALY) Cavour prevents Garibaldi from invading Rome

Aug 1, 1860

(ITALY) People in Sicily vote to join Sardinia. Italy is born.

Sep 1, 1860

(GERMANY) William I tres to raise taxes to expand army, but liberal Parliament blocks him

Jan 1, 1862

(GERMANY) Bismarck becomes chief minister, gov't starts to rule without Parliament

Jan 10, 1862

(GERMANY) Austria and Prussia beat Denmark in war over Danish provinces in German Confed.

Period: Jan 1, 1864 to Apr 1, 1864

(GERMANY) Austro-Prussian War

Period: Feb 1, 1866 to Mar 26, 1866

Aftermath: Existing German Confed, dissolved. Austria agrees to withdraw from German affairs. Prussia conquers several small states in northern Germany and forms North German Confederation.

(GERMANY) Franco-Prussian War

Period: Jan 1, 1870 to Jan 1, 1871

By the time of the Prussian victory, south German states had agreed to join a new German Empire.