n Prussia and France. This war, known as the Franco-Prussia War, resulted in the southern German states binding together in national unity to come to Prussias aid. This maneuvering was as Bismarck predicted. Central Europe in 1871 bore witness to a great nation and the final steps in the unification of Germany, later to become known as the German Empire. This also gave them the needed power to play a major role in World War I. Nationalism was the principle factor in the Franco-Prussian War. If it was not for Bismarck raising nationalistic feelings throughout Germany, they may not have gotten the patriotism needed from the southern states to defeat France.In addition, in the late 1800s nationalistic ideas in Italy begin to surface, eventually leading to the transformation into the Kingdom of Italy in 1861. Giuseppe Mazzini inspired revolutionary movements and nationalistic feelings within the population of the younger generation. The nationalistic feelings in Italy, especially illustrated by the Kingdom of Sardinia led to elimination of Austrian presence in Italy. Cavour also played an important role, for he wanted to see Italy totally liberated. He sought to get permission from France to invade the Papal States. Because Napoleon was interested in weakening Austria, he agreed. Almost every state at this time became part of Sardinia, which almost completed the unification and freedom from foreign rule. Garibaldi successfully drove out the French from Naples and Sicily, consequently leading The Kingdom of Two Sicilies to be liberated by Garibaldi from the French Bourbon King. Italy allied with Prussia during the Prussia and Austria war, and was rewarded with the acquisition of Venice. Afterwards, France left Rome during the Franco-Prussian war of 1870, leaving Italy totally unified with Rome as its capital. The Nationalistic ideals of the leaders and the people ...
