In which of the following year the unification of Italy was completed?
Italy was divided into many states during the middle of the nineteenth century. Of these seven states, only Sardinia-Piedmont was ruled by an Italian princely house. At that time North of Italy was under Austrian Habsburg, the center was ruled by Pope and the Southern regions were ruled by the Bourbon kings of Spain.
The unification of Italy was a result of many wars. Chief Minister Cavour made a tactful diplomatic alliance with France. Sardinia-Piedmont succeeded in defeating the Austrian forces in 1859.
A large number of armed volunteers under the leadership of Giuseppe Garibaldi joined the unification movement. In 1860, they marched into South Italy and the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies succeeded to drive out the Spanish rulers with the help of local people. In 1861, Victor Emmanuel II was proclaimed as king of United Italy.