Camillo Benso, Count of Cavour: AP European History Quiz

📚 Quick Study Guide

• 🌍 Context: Camillo Benso, Count of Cavour (1810-1861), was a leading figure in the Italian unification. He served as Prime Minister of Piedmont-Sardinia and skillfully used diplomacy and political maneuvering to achieve Italian unity.
• 🤝 Diplomacy: Cavour understood that Piedmont-Sardinia could not defeat Austria alone. He formed alliances, most notably with France under Napoleon III, to gain military support.
• ⚔️ Crimean War: Cavour strategically involved Piedmont-Sardinia in the Crimean War (1853-1856) to gain international recognition and a seat at the negotiating table with major European powers.
• 🇮🇹 War with Austria: The alliance with France led to war against Austria in 1859. Although France later withdrew, the war sparked nationalist uprisings in other Italian states.
• 🗳️ Plebiscite: Cavour orchestrated plebiscites (popular votes) in several Italian states, which resulted in their annexation to Piedmont-Sardinia.
• 👑 Unification: By 1861, most of Italy was unified under the rule of Victor Emmanuel II of Piedmont-Sardinia, largely due to Cavour's efforts. Cavour died shortly after the proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy.

Practice Quiz

1. Which kingdom did Camillo Benso, Count of Cavour, serve as Prime Minister?
   1. A) Kingdom of the Two Sicilies
   2. B) Papal States
   3. C) Piedmont-Sardinia
   4. D) Austrian Empire
2. What was Cavour's primary strategy for achieving Italian unification?
   1. A) Direct military conquest of all Italian states
   2. B) Relying solely on popular uprisings
   3. C) Diplomatic alliances and political maneuvering
   4. D) Ignoring foreign powers and focusing on internal reforms
3. Which war did Cavour involve Piedmont-Sardinia in to gain international recognition?
   1. A) Franco-Prussian War
   2. B) Seven Years' War
   3. C) Crimean War
   4. D) Napoleonic Wars
4. Which country did Cavour ally with to fight against Austria?
   1. A) Great Britain
   2. B) Prussia
   3. C) Russia
   4. D) France
5. What was the outcome of the plebiscites orchestrated by Cavour in several Italian states?
   1. A) They remained independent
   2. B) They formed a new republic
   3. C) They were annexed to Piedmont-Sardinia
   4. D) They requested Austrian protection
6. In what year was the Kingdom of Italy proclaimed, largely due to Cavour's efforts?
   1. A) 1848
   2. B) 1856
   3. C) 1861
   4. D) 1870
7. What was Cavour's attitude towards democracy?
   1. A) He was a radical democrat
   2. B) He had little faith in democracy
   3. C) He was a socialist
   4. D) He was an anarchist