The Congress of Vienna in 1815 divided into many small states. Italian nationalism became a strong force in the early 1800s, when many people tried to revive Italy's traditions. Until Count Camillo Benso di Cavour, most of the nationalists formed secret societies. Cavour reorganized the Sardinian army, and established banks. Cavour tried to reduce the political influence of the church. Giuseppe Garibaldi organized an army to liberate the King of the Two Sicilies from the harsh Bourbon king. Cavour and Garibaldi united, and Garibaldi was given financial help to liberate the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. During this process, Sardinia annexed most of the territory of the Papal States. Victor Emmanuel II was declared king of Italy. Unification was not completed until Italy gained Venetia in the Seven Weeks" War of 1866 and when French troops were recalled from Rome. .
The Congress of Vienna gave Prussia much important territory. Germany's first major step toward unity concerned the economy. Tariffs increased the price of the goods while reducing the amount sold. Prussia and many German states made up a number of treaties called the Zollverein. The Zollverein led to the spread of industrialism. Germany's economy became dependent on The Zollverein. Otto Von Bismarck ruled Prussia over William I. He reorganized the Prussian army, and increased taxes. If Prussian parliament disagreed with Bismarck, he would simply dismiss it. Bismarck united Prussia and drove out Austria's influence over Prussia. He did this by going to war. During a small period of time, Prussia participated in many wars where it united itself and gained land. Bismarck tricked Napoleon into declaring war on Prussia. Bismarck then used this as an excuse and converted rival German states into allies against the French. German states proclaimed a Kaiser, William I. Bismarck became the chancellor of Germany. Each German state had its own ruler as well as rights.
