The Unification of Italy was marked in 1861, when various states on the Italian Peninsula came together to form a single kingdom under King Victor Emmanuel II of Sardinia. This process, known as the Risorgimento, was fueled by nationalist movements and the efforts of key figures like Giuseppe Garibaldi and Count Camillo di Cavour. The unification not only altered the political landscape in Italy but also had ramifications throughout Europe, inspiring other nationalist movements and altering the balance of power on the continent. The emergence of a unified Italy also laid the groundwork for future conflicts and alliances in European politics.