Two of the most important events in European history are the unifications of Italy and Germany. The two were unified around the same time, and in ways that were both similar and different. The leaders of the two countries were the reason they were unified differently. Count Camillo Benso di Cavour, with the help of Guiseppe Garibaldi, achieves the unification of Italy. Otto von Bismarck is credited with the definitive unification of Germany. Cavour of Italy and Bismarck of Germany used more similar than different methods to unify their countries. These methods included different military tactics, their common use of nationalism as a tool of manipulation, and their similar diplomacy in political situations. One of the differences between Cavour and Bismarck was their military strategies. Both leaders used their countries' military might to their advantage. However, they used it in different ways. Bismarck significantly strengthened the army that already existed in Germany. He improved what he was given until he had a powerful enough army to control. Bismarck believed that a very militaristic government was the best type of government. This meant that Germany was very military focused under its control. Bismarck's militaristic views and government must have worked, because he achieved his final goal: unifying Germany. On the other hand, Cavour used other countries' armies instead of his own to achieve his goal. He provoked Austria until it attacked Sardinia, and Napoleon III briefly came to Sardinia's aid. However, Napoleon soon abandoned them for fear of reprisals from French Catholics. Cavour was a very manipulative man, but it ultimately did him some good. Another time he avoided using his own army was when he tricked Ga... middle of paper... and helped him when he incited Austria to attack Sardinia. He also used Garibaldi's Red Shirts to gain territory without using his own army. Bismarck made alliances with countries for wars to also help unify his country. After Prussia and Austria joined forces to defeat Denmark, he became convinced that Austria must be eliminated from German affairs. After provoking a war between the two, the Austro-Prussian War, he offered Austria generous peace terms and managed to get rid of Austria's interference. Bismarck may not have betrayed anyone directly, but he certainly manipulated many people skillfully. Cavour provoked many wars to get what he wanted, including the one between Sardinia and Austria. Cavour's brilliant strategies were the reason he succeeded in his mission. Cavour and Bismarck used brilliant diplomatic tactics to unify their countries..