AI-generated practice question — model-generated for extra practice, not a previous-year CBSE board question.
Mazzini believed in a unified Italy through revolution, founding secret societies like Young Italy and Young Europe to spread democratic-republican ideals. However, his revolutionary approach alarmed conservatives and failed to achieve practical results.
Cavour, as Chief Minister of Sardinia-Piedmont, adopted a diplomatic and pragmatic approach. He engineered a tactical alliance with France, which helped defeat Austrian forces in 1859. He also utilised Garibaldi's armed volunteers who marched into South Italy, winning local support to expel Spanish rulers. This combination of diplomacy, military strategy, and statecraft succeeded where Mazzini's revolutionary idealism could not, leading to Victor Emmanuel II being proclaimed king of unified Italy in 1861.
Source: Italy Unified, Chapter 1; The Revolutionaries, Chapter 1
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Examiners look for a clear contrast between Mazzini (revolutionary, democratic, idealistic, underground societies) and Cavour (diplomatic, pragmatic, used alliances and military force). Key facts to include: Cavour's French alliance, defeat of Austria (1859), Garibaldi's role in South Italy, and the proclamation of Victor Emmanuel II in 1861. Avoid lengthy political theory — stick to specific actions and outcomes. The question is 3 marks, so two focused paragraphs comparing both approaches is sufficient.