The major event that led to the unification of Italy was the Risorgimento, a period of political and social upheaval that spanned from the early 19th century until the final unification in 1871. Key figures, such as Count Camillo di Cavour, Giuseppe Garibaldi, and King Victor Emmanuel II, played essential roles in the unification process. Significant wars and diplomatic efforts against foreign rule, particularly Austria, were crucial. The Capture of Rome in 1870 marked a symbolic end to the unification efforts, solidifying Italy as a single nation-state. This unification was crucial to the development of national identity and political structure in modern Italy.